How is the mass of the sun determined?
1 Answer
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).