Re: Are planets perfectly round, or can they be oval and lopsided?

Date: Thu May 31 15:52:53 2001
Posted By: Paul Barrett, Staff, Science Demonstrator, Pacific Science Center
Area of science: Astronomy
ID: 990843656.As

Message:

Joe,

There's no need to be frustrated at all, because your planetary models are more accurate because they are not completely spherical. The planets themselves are not perfect spheres, but are instead "flattened oblate spheroids". The effect of the planets' rotational motion is greatest at the equator, which leads to the planet (or star) being slightly flattened. For a much more in depth study of this phenomenon, check this site out- http://www.sciam.com/askexpert/physics/physics50/physics50.html. If your planets are not oblong in the way described above, perhaps it has something to do with your plastering technique. Unfortunately I'm not an expert in art, so I'm not qualified to help you in that field. Good Luck!

-Paul Barrett

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