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).

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