Algodoo

This is an accurate and true to scale simulation of the gravitative interaction between the masses of earth and moon.

The scale is 1 : 1.000.000 (1 meter in the Algodoo-simulation equates to 1000 kilometer in the reality)
True to scale are:

- the size of earth (12.756 km diameter + atmosphere)

- the size of the moon (3.476 km diameter)

- the medium distance between earth and moon (384.400 km)

- the relative spin: 27,3 earth rotations (days) per moon cycle (month), 1 moon rotation per month

- the position of the earth-moon-barycenter (approximate 1700 km under the earth-surface) and the relative motion around it

- the mass of earth relative to the mass of the moon (mass of earth = 81,3 times the mass of the moon)

The big red spot in the center is the barycenter (the common center of mass) between earth and moon.
The little red point at the left is the center of earth. The distance between the center of earth and the barycenter is over 4670 km.

The moon is orbiting the barycenter, NOT the center of earth - even the center of earth is orbiting the barycenter.

Increase the speed of the simulation up to 10 times faster, for a better clarification of the earth motion.
You have to zoom out to see the moon and its orbit.


Comments are always welcome, particularly constructive criticism or suggestions for possible simulations in the future.

For educational usage - further informations at wikipedia: center of mass