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Old July 9th 03, 11:41 AM
Carusus
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Default Earth in the sun's orbit

Several questions. Hope somebody here can explain.

Each second the sun burns 10 million tonnes of hydrogen. The sun is at
the same time getting gradually denser due to nuclear fusion in its
core. What is the overall effect of these two factors over time on the
sun's gravitational pull: does it increase or decrease? Does it vary
according to the sun's position on the main sequence? Is this different
for non-main sequence stars?
I seem to remember reading that over time the sun's force of gravity
increases.
The earth is at the same time accreting débris from space - from the
solar wind and from solar system residue. What is the effect of this -
and the above changes in the sun's gravitational field - on the earth's
orbit?
There are also tidal forces on the earth (and to a much less extent on
the sun) which tend to slow its rotation. Does this translate into
angular momentum in the earth's orbit? In how much time will the earth
have one face permanently pointing to the sun, with the other looking
away into permanent night? Will this be a problem before the increased
heat of the sun turns the earth into another Venus?

That's enough questions!