Earth at the Center of the Universe

[ChaosKnight]

Relatively speaking, the Earth IS at the 'center' of the universe. Other aliens will also rightly perceive that their planet is at the center of the universe. But the Earth is NOT at the centre of the solar system.

Interesting. How do you define the center of the universe to be the Earth, but at the same time avoid defining Earth to be at the center of the solar system?

[ChaosKnight]

Unfortunately it seems only two people here know what the simulation is about.

There are no "deep deep" equations involved. The simulation solves the equation F=ma=GMm/r^2 for all 9 planets of the solar system, although only the four inner planets are shown. Accelerations are integrated to give velocities, and velocities are integrated to give position vectors.

Realistic (approximate) data like mass and distance from the sun are used in the simulation.

The frame of reference will not be fixed to any position, but we can pick any point as a reference. Usually we will just pick the sun and subtract its position vector from all bodies so that the orbital paths resemble a conventional diagram, ie heliocentric model.

This simulation takes the point of reference as the Earth. The model is still heliocentric, ie the planets orbit in more or less circular paths around the sun, but the data is presented relative to the position of the Earth. This is why i stated in the 1st post all motion is relative. You can pick any point of reference you like.

Still don't like the idea? Then it's too bad, because you've probably been using it all along.

When you use an online star map, do you make the stars rotate relative to you, or do you rotate yourself, your computer, your house, or the entire Earth so the stars on the screen are fixed? Or when you use a planisphere, do you rotate yourself around the ring with the stars so as to keep it fixed? And which frame of reference do you pick, the co-rotating frame or the fixed frame, when calculating the Coriolis force?

[ChaosKnight]

"Earth at the Center of the Universe" certainly doesn't belong to "General Astronomy" but qualify as kopitiam chatter, so I am moving this thread to Coffee Corner. There's a saying among scientists that 'all models are wrong' and this fun simulation certainly belongs to that category!!

Interesting view you have there. Let me see if i understand you correctly.

This simulation belongs to the subset of computational models, which, in your opinion, are all wrong, hence it is moved to coffee corner. Are you saying all computational models only qualify as idle chatter?

[acc]

ChaosKnight, its been quite a few centuries since Galileo's passing, and I can only presume that your post was for fun, so what better place than Coffee Corner. To avoid confusing newbies, the General Astronomy thread is for FACTS only, please.

[Airconvent]

Relatively speaking, the Earth IS at the 'center' of the universe. Other aliens will also rightly perceive that their planet is at the center of the universe. But the Earth is NOT at the centre of the solar system.

Interesting. How do you define the center of the universe to be the Earth, but at the same time avoid defining Earth to be at the center of the solar system?

well.. its pretty obvious that earth is not at the centre of the solar system. afterall, its called the "solar" system and not the "terran" system.
But if you look at it, our confirmation on how big the universe is, is dependent on light from those objects reaching us. In reality, this can only confirm how SMALL the universe is. As fainter light reaches us, the size will increase. Since they seem to be infinite in all directions, then in a matter of speaking, we are at the centre of the universe!

[weixing]

Hi,

Since they seem to be infinite in all directions, then in a matter of speaking, we are at the centre of the universe!

Ha ha ha... So the current conclusion is: we are not in the center of our solar system, not in the center of our galaxy, but in the center of the observable Universe.

Have a nice day.

[ChaosKnight]

ChaosKnight, its been quite a few centuries since Galileo's passing, and I can only presume that your post was for fun, so what better place than Coffee Corner. To avoid confusing newbies, the General Astronomy thread is for FACTS only, please.

Initially i thought it will be interesting to present simulated orbital data from another point of view.

You said General Astronomy is for FACTs. This implies the simulation does not present facts in any way, which implies the simulation is wrong.

Care to explain which aspect of the simulation you think is wrong? Maybe we can have a real technical discussion here.

[acc]

ChaosKnight, perhaps I was too subtle/cryptic in my previous post. To make it clear: I just want to ensure that nobody is even vaguely left with the impression that earth could, in reality, really be at the centre of the universe as a result of your post.

As to whether your simulation is right or wrong, you can have an academic debate with someone else over a cup of coffee, but thanks for your invitation anyway.

[Clifford60]

No one is wrong here, all you guys here has a good intention for the general forumers.

ChaosKnight is just trying to show how the objects will "look" up in the sky or space from earth while ACC is trying to ensure newbies wouldn't get themselves confuse even though most of us or even all of us already know that the fact is, the earth is not in the center of the solar system, milky way or universe.

It is just looking at thing in a different perspective, angle or thinking outside the box.

Anyway, ChaosKnight, thanks for the simulation and don't feel bad over the comment, well it is again looking thing at different perspective.

[rlow]

Ha ha ha... So the current conclusion is: we are not in the center of our solar system, not in the center of our galaxy, but in the center of the observable Universe.

well said!