How is the mass of the sun determined?

1 Answer
MeneerNask
Jul 12, 2015

If one object orbits the other you can calculate their relative masses.

Explanation:

If the mass of one of the objects is quite small the calculation is a lot easier. It uses Newton's gravity law, which also predicts the time the smaller object needs to make a complete circuit around the larger object (as observed by Tycho Brahe and calculated through by Keppler).

Related questions
See all questions in The Sun
Impact of this question
2220 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License