Interesting question but if a planet as multiple moons, how do they measure a day? By which moon?
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If a planet has multiple moons
How do they measure a day?
Started by NiCkC818 , Mar 27 2007 12:50 PM
Started by NiCkC818 , Mar 27 2007 12:50 PM
14 replies to this topic
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Posted 27 March 2007 - 12:50 PM
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Posted 27 March 2007 - 12:55 PM
I could be mistaken, but I do not think that the moons matter as far as calculating the length of a day; it has to do with a 360* rotation of the planet itself...
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Posted 27 March 2007 - 01:18 PM
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I could be mistaken, but I do not think that the moons matter as far as calculating the length of a day; it has to do with a 360* rotation of the planet itself...
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Posted 27 March 2007 - 01:43 PM
Indeed, they measure it by the planet. All though it is quite possible for the moons to have different day lengths, infact a synodic period on our moon is 29.5 days 
Assumign your question was actually meant to say how do they calculate a MONTH, then the word month derives from the word moon so each of Jupiters's 63 companion satellites would have its own individual month length,
And as you might expect those orbiting closest to the planet have the shortest months and those furthest away have the longest months (they both have further to go and go more slowly). The biggest four, known since Galileo trained his telescope on them in January 1610, are all quite close in, at positions 5-8 inclusive,
In order ourwards from the planet, measured in Earth days, hours and minutes
(Note that for Metis and Adrastea the day is longer than the month, )
1 Metis 7h 4m 29s
2 Adrastea 7h 9m 30s
3 Amalthea 11h 57m 22.67s
4 Thebe 16h 11m 17s
5 Io 1.77 days
6 Europa 3.55 days
7 Ganymede 7.15 days
8 Callisto 16.69 days
9 Themisto 129.87 days
10 Leda 241.75 days
11 Himalia 250.37 days
12 Lysithea 259.89 days
13 Elara 261.14 days
14 S/2000 J 11 287.93 days
15 Carpo 458.62 days
16 S/2003 J 12 482.69 days
17 Euporie 538.78 days
18 S/2003 J 3 561.52 days
19 S/2003 J 18 569.73 days
20 Thelxinoe 597.61 days
21 Euanthe 598.09 days
22 Helike 601.40 days
23 Orthosie 602.62 days
24 Iocaste 609.43 days
25 S/2003 J 16 610.36 days
26 Praxidike 613.90 days
27 Harpalyke 624.54 days
28 Mneme 627.48 days
29 Hermippe 629.81 days
30 Thyone 639.80 days
31 Ananke 642.02 days
32 S/2003 J 17 672.75 days
33 Aitne 679.64 days
34 Kale 685.32 days
35 Taygete 686.67 days
36 S/2003 J 19 699.12 days
37 Chaldene 699.33 days
38 S/2003 J 15 699.68 days
39 S/2003 J 10 700.13 days
40 S/2003 J 23 700.54 days
41 Erinome 711.96 days
42 Aoede 714.66 days
43 Kallichore 717.81 days
44 Kalyke 721.02 days
45 Carme 721.82 days
46 Callirrhoe 722.62 days
47 Eurydome 723.36 days
48 Pasithee 726.93 days
49 Cyllene 731.10 days
50 Eukelade 735.20 days
51 S/2003 J 4 739.29 days
52 Pasiphaë 741.09 days
53 Hegemone 745.50 days
54 Arche 746.19 days
55 Isonoe 750.13 days
56 S/2003 J 9 752.84 days
57 S/2003 J 5 758.34 days
58 Sinope 762.33 days
59 Sponde 771.60 days
60 Autonoe 772.17 days
61 S/2003 J 14 776.02 days
62 Megaclite 792.44 days
63 S/2003 J 2 1077.02 days
The other rotation period that is of interest is that of the Great Red Spot, Jupiter's best known feature, a persistent anticyclonic storm located 22° south of the equator that is larger than Earth. It is known to have been in existence since at least 1831 and possibly since 1665.
Mathematical models suggest that the storm is stable and may be a permanent feature of the planet. The storm is large enough to be visible through Earth-based telescopes.
The oval object rotates counterclockwise, with a period of about 6 days. The Great Red Spot's dimensions are 24–40,000 km × 12–14,000 km. It is large enough to contain two or three planets of Earth's diameter
Assumign your question was actually meant to say how do they calculate a MONTH, then the word month derives from the word moon so each of Jupiters's 63 companion satellites would have its own individual month length,And as you might expect those orbiting closest to the planet have the shortest months and those furthest away have the longest months (they both have further to go and go more slowly). The biggest four, known since Galileo trained his telescope on them in January 1610, are all quite close in, at positions 5-8 inclusive,
In order ourwards from the planet, measured in Earth days, hours and minutes
(Note that for Metis and Adrastea the day is longer than the month, )
1 Metis 7h 4m 29s
2 Adrastea 7h 9m 30s
3 Amalthea 11h 57m 22.67s
4 Thebe 16h 11m 17s
5 Io 1.77 days
6 Europa 3.55 days
7 Ganymede 7.15 days
8 Callisto 16.69 days
9 Themisto 129.87 days
10 Leda 241.75 days
11 Himalia 250.37 days
12 Lysithea 259.89 days
13 Elara 261.14 days
14 S/2000 J 11 287.93 days
15 Carpo 458.62 days
16 S/2003 J 12 482.69 days
17 Euporie 538.78 days
18 S/2003 J 3 561.52 days
19 S/2003 J 18 569.73 days
20 Thelxinoe 597.61 days
21 Euanthe 598.09 days
22 Helike 601.40 days
23 Orthosie 602.62 days
24 Iocaste 609.43 days
25 S/2003 J 16 610.36 days
26 Praxidike 613.90 days
27 Harpalyke 624.54 days
28 Mneme 627.48 days
29 Hermippe 629.81 days
30 Thyone 639.80 days
31 Ananke 642.02 days
32 S/2003 J 17 672.75 days
33 Aitne 679.64 days
34 Kale 685.32 days
35 Taygete 686.67 days
36 S/2003 J 19 699.12 days
37 Chaldene 699.33 days
38 S/2003 J 15 699.68 days
39 S/2003 J 10 700.13 days
40 S/2003 J 23 700.54 days
41 Erinome 711.96 days
42 Aoede 714.66 days
43 Kallichore 717.81 days
44 Kalyke 721.02 days
45 Carme 721.82 days
46 Callirrhoe 722.62 days
47 Eurydome 723.36 days
48 Pasithee 726.93 days
49 Cyllene 731.10 days
50 Eukelade 735.20 days
51 S/2003 J 4 739.29 days
52 Pasiphaë 741.09 days
53 Hegemone 745.50 days
54 Arche 746.19 days
55 Isonoe 750.13 days
56 S/2003 J 9 752.84 days
57 S/2003 J 5 758.34 days
58 Sinope 762.33 days
59 Sponde 771.60 days
60 Autonoe 772.17 days
61 S/2003 J 14 776.02 days
62 Megaclite 792.44 days
63 S/2003 J 2 1077.02 days
The other rotation period that is of interest is that of the Great Red Spot, Jupiter's best known feature, a persistent anticyclonic storm located 22° south of the equator that is larger than Earth. It is known to have been in existence since at least 1831 and possibly since 1665.
Mathematical models suggest that the storm is stable and may be a permanent feature of the planet. The storm is large enough to be visible through Earth-based telescopes.
The oval object rotates counterclockwise, with a period of about 6 days. The Great Red Spot's dimensions are 24–40,000 km × 12–14,000 km. It is large enough to contain two or three planets of Earth's diameter
Edited by Gavsto, 27 March 2007 - 02:10 PM.
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Posted 27 March 2007 - 07:05 PM
As has been stated the of the length of a day of a planet is the time it takes the planet to spin once on its axis and is irrespective of the number of moons it has (Mercury and Venus both have days but neither of them have a moon).
To make life a little more confusing, astronomers have two ways to measure the length of the planet's day. These are the "sideral day" and the "mean solar day".
The siderial day is the time it takes the planet to rotate once about its axis and can be measure (in simple terms) by the time it takes the same, fixed, star to pass over head twice.
The mean solar day is the average time it takes the sun (or the hypothetical planet's home star) to go from one noon (over head) to the next.
If the Earth (or any other planet) was simply rotating on its axis these two measurements would be the same but the fact that the Earth is also orbiting the sun complicates this.
For the Earth the mean solar day is 24 hurs long but the siderial day is slightly shorter at 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds.
To make life a little more confusing, astronomers have two ways to measure the length of the planet's day. These are the "sideral day" and the "mean solar day".
The siderial day is the time it takes the planet to rotate once about its axis and can be measure (in simple terms) by the time it takes the same, fixed, star to pass over head twice.
The mean solar day is the average time it takes the sun (or the hypothetical planet's home star) to go from one noon (over head) to the next.
If the Earth (or any other planet) was simply rotating on its axis these two measurements would be the same but the fact that the Earth is also orbiting the sun complicates this.
For the Earth the mean solar day is 24 hurs long but the siderial day is slightly shorter at 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds.
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#6
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Posted 27 March 2007 - 07:36 PM
If you're not sure what Waspie is talking about, this diagram helped me a long while back when I was studying this 
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Posted 27 March 2007 - 08:09 PM
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If you're not sure what Waspie is talking about, this diagram helped me a long while back when I was studying this
That takes me back a few years to my O-level astronomy. Ouch, it was 1983.
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#8
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Posted 27 March 2007 - 09:15 PM
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That takes me back a few years to my O-level astronomy. Ouch, it was 1983.
1983?!?!
Wow, Waspie, your old!
(...completely tongue in cheek...never would I insult a moderator...to forgive is devine...
)Anyway, great info guys.
I think the bottom line for our OP is that a day is the time it takes for the planet to spin around once.
The moon or moons aren't a consideration...
And, with guys like Gav and Waspie, you're getting a great and detailed Astronomy lesson in the process of that simple explanation.
Nice work!
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Posted 28 March 2007 - 03:46 AM
Some great science here, I followed MID to this section of UM. Thanks MID! 
Just to add - remember that we can also see our moon during the early AM - After noon to late PM. It does not play into our measure of day - only cool to see a full moon during a blue sky. Kind of cool.
Ok - this was random, I admit it!
Just to add - remember that we can also see our moon during the early AM - After noon to late PM. It does not play into our measure of day - only cool to see a full moon during a blue sky. Kind of cool.
Ok - this was random, I admit it!
#10
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Posted 28 March 2007 - 03:31 PM
Quote
.......
(Note that for Metis and Adrastea the day is longer than the month, )
1 Metis 7h 4m 29s
2 Adrastea 7h 9m 30s
3 Amalthea 11h 57m 22.67s
4 Thebe 16h 11m 17s
5 Io 1.77 days
6 Europa 3.55 days
7 Ganymede 7.15 days
8 Callisto 16.69 days
9 Themisto 129.87 days
10 Leda 241.75 days
11 Himalia 250.37 days
12 Lysithea 259.89 days
13 Elara 261.14 days
14 S/2000 J 11 287.93 days
15 Carpo 458.62 days
16 S/2003 J 12 482.69 days
17 Euporie 538.78 days
18 S/2003 J 3 561.52 days
19 S/2003 J 18 569.73 days
20 Thelxinoe 597.61 days
21 Euanthe 598.09 days
22 Helike 601.40 days
23 Orthosie 602.62 days
24 Iocaste 609.43 days
25 S/2003 J 16 610.36 days
26 Praxidike 613.90 days
27 Harpalyke 624.54 days
28 Mneme 627.48 days
29 Hermippe 629.81 days
30 Thyone 639.80 days
31 Ananke 642.02 days
32 S/2003 J 17 672.75 days
33 Aitne 679.64 days
34 Kale 685.32 days
35 Taygete 686.67 days
36 S/2003 J 19 699.12 days
37 Chaldene 699.33 days
38 S/2003 J 15 699.68 days
39 S/2003 J 10 700.13 days
40 S/2003 J 23 700.54 days
41 Erinome 711.96 days
42 Aoede 714.66 days
43 Kallichore 717.81 days
44 Kalyke 721.02 days
45 Carme 721.82 days
46 Callirrhoe 722.62 days
47 Eurydome 723.36 days
48 Pasithee 726.93 days
49 Cyllene 731.10 days
50 Eukelade 735.20 days
51 S/2003 J 4 739.29 days
52 Pasiphaë 741.09 days
53 Hegemone 745.50 days
54 Arche 746.19 days
55 Isonoe 750.13 days
56 S/2003 J 9 752.84 days
57 S/2003 J 5 758.34 days
58 Sinope 762.33 days
59 Sponde 771.60 days
60 Autonoe 772.17 days
61 S/2003 J 14 776.02 days
62 Megaclite 792.44 days
63 S/2003 J 2 1077.02 days
The other rotation period that is of interest is that of the Great Red Spot, Jupiter's best known feature, a persistent anticyclonic storm located 22° south of the equator that is larger than Earth. It is known to have been in existence since at least 1831 and possibly since 1665.
......
(Note that for Metis and Adrastea the day is longer than the month, )
1 Metis 7h 4m 29s
2 Adrastea 7h 9m 30s
3 Amalthea 11h 57m 22.67s
4 Thebe 16h 11m 17s
5 Io 1.77 days
6 Europa 3.55 days
7 Ganymede 7.15 days
8 Callisto 16.69 days
9 Themisto 129.87 days
10 Leda 241.75 days
11 Himalia 250.37 days
12 Lysithea 259.89 days
13 Elara 261.14 days
14 S/2000 J 11 287.93 days
15 Carpo 458.62 days
16 S/2003 J 12 482.69 days
17 Euporie 538.78 days
18 S/2003 J 3 561.52 days
19 S/2003 J 18 569.73 days
20 Thelxinoe 597.61 days
21 Euanthe 598.09 days
22 Helike 601.40 days
23 Orthosie 602.62 days
24 Iocaste 609.43 days
25 S/2003 J 16 610.36 days
26 Praxidike 613.90 days
27 Harpalyke 624.54 days
28 Mneme 627.48 days
29 Hermippe 629.81 days
30 Thyone 639.80 days
31 Ananke 642.02 days
32 S/2003 J 17 672.75 days
33 Aitne 679.64 days
34 Kale 685.32 days
35 Taygete 686.67 days
36 S/2003 J 19 699.12 days
37 Chaldene 699.33 days
38 S/2003 J 15 699.68 days
39 S/2003 J 10 700.13 days
40 S/2003 J 23 700.54 days
41 Erinome 711.96 days
42 Aoede 714.66 days
43 Kallichore 717.81 days
44 Kalyke 721.02 days
45 Carme 721.82 days
46 Callirrhoe 722.62 days
47 Eurydome 723.36 days
48 Pasithee 726.93 days
49 Cyllene 731.10 days
50 Eukelade 735.20 days
51 S/2003 J 4 739.29 days
52 Pasiphaë 741.09 days
53 Hegemone 745.50 days
54 Arche 746.19 days
55 Isonoe 750.13 days
56 S/2003 J 9 752.84 days
57 S/2003 J 5 758.34 days
58 Sinope 762.33 days
59 Sponde 771.60 days
60 Autonoe 772.17 days
61 S/2003 J 14 776.02 days
62 Megaclite 792.44 days
63 S/2003 J 2 1077.02 days
The other rotation period that is of interest is that of the Great Red Spot, Jupiter's best known feature, a persistent anticyclonic storm located 22° south of the equator that is larger than Earth. It is known to have been in existence since at least 1831 and possibly since 1665.
......
Blimey Gavsto, lot of effort in that posting, nice one!!
Regarding the storm on Jupiter, I wonder what sort of wind speeds it carries - however strong, I bet it would mess up one's hairdo lol.
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#11
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Posted 28 March 2007 - 03:44 PM
The moon has to do with a monthly cycle. The day is measured by the earths rotation around the sun and axial tilt.
Mars, for instance has two moons. The solar day (or sol) on Mars is only slightly longer than an Earth day: 24 hours, 39 minutes, and 35.244 seconds.
Mars' axial tilt is 25.19 degrees, which is similar to the axial tilt of the Earth. As a result, Mars has seasons like the Earth, though Mars' are about twice as long given its longer year. Link
Mars, for instance has two moons. The solar day (or sol) on Mars is only slightly longer than an Earth day: 24 hours, 39 minutes, and 35.244 seconds.
Mars' axial tilt is 25.19 degrees, which is similar to the axial tilt of the Earth. As a result, Mars has seasons like the Earth, though Mars' are about twice as long given its longer year. Link
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#12
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Posted 28 March 2007 - 03:58 PM
Are you asking this because of the thread on the length of Saturn's day?
If you are, they only mentioned Saturn's moon in that thread to say that it slows down the planets magnetic field, which means they can't calculate the length of it's day by looking at that field. Nothing to do with using the moon itself to calculate it.
If you are, they only mentioned Saturn's moon in that thread to say that it slows down the planets magnetic field, which means they can't calculate the length of it's day by looking at that field. Nothing to do with using the moon itself to calculate it.
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Posted 28 March 2007 - 09:14 PM
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The moon has to do with a monthly cycle. The day is measured by the earths rotation around the sun and axial tilt.
The last sentence is incorrect. The day is the rotation of the earth on it's axis. The rotation (or orbit) around the sun is the year. The length of both of these is totally independent of axial tilt, which as you correctly state, is responsible for the seasons.
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#14
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Posted 29 March 2007 - 03:36 AM
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Interesting question but if a planet as multiple moons, how do they measure a day? By which moon?
Interesting question, indeed! Neptune has how many moons? Neptune has 13 moons. 3 of those 13 orbit opposite the spin of the planet. You know, I think they fixed that when they started with the solar days, but to measure the days according to the moons, I think they divide the total by the retrograde which in this case would be 4 1/13 and they decided that if there is 4 moons on the sun's side of the planet, that makes the day.
Uranus has 27 moons. 8 of the 27 orbit the opposite way. 27 / 8 = 3 1/9. So, when there is 3 moons on the sun's side of the planet, that starts the day.
That sounds so good! I should be the next Einstein!Oh, and the planets without moons, they just pick any day.
Edited by greggK, 29 March 2007 - 03:40 AM.
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Posted 29 March 2007 - 04:36 AM
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Interesting question, indeed! Neptune has how many moons? Neptune has 13 moons. 3 of those 13 orbit opposite the spin of the planet. You know, I think they fixed that when they started with the solar days, but to measure the days according to the moons, I think they divide the total by the retrograde which in this case would be 4 1/13 and they decided that if there is 4 moons on the sun's side of the planet, that makes the day.
Uranus has 27 moons. 8 of the 27 orbit the opposite way. 27 / 8 = 3 1/9. So, when there is 3 moons on the sun's side of the planet, that starts the day.
That sounds so good! I should be the next Einstein!
Oh, and the planets without moons, they just pick any day.
Uranus has 27 moons. 8 of the 27 orbit the opposite way. 27 / 8 = 3 1/9. So, when there is 3 moons on the sun's side of the planet, that starts the day.
That sounds so good! I should be the next Einstein!Oh, and the planets without moons, they just pick any day.
This makes sense to you I suppose? How small does an object have to be to be considered a moon in your crazy mixed up system? The reason I ask is that all four giant planets have rings which are made up of miilions upon millions of orbiting objects ranging from the size of a building to tiny specks of dust. Now how are you going to calculate the days?
"Space is big. Really big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-boggingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the street to the chemist, but that's just peanuts to space." - The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams 1952 - 2001
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