Expert: Jayendra Upadhye - 11/1/2007

Question
Hi Jayendra,

I've heard the talk of winter solsice sun aligning with our galactic center.  It's often mentioned by people with weak astronomical background, in the context of apocalyptic theories.  But now I'm curious - could there be perceivable gravitational effects on our solar system?  I understand physicists believe there exists a super black hole at the center of our galaxy.  Any thoughts on this alignment phenomena?

Thanks,
Joe

Answer
Hi,
Bunk!

The moster black hole at the galactic center will not have any separate effect.

That is because of the way gravity works.

At any moment, you are on the circumference of a vast circular orbit around the galaxy.
Gravity behaves so that all matter circumscribed by this orbit will appear to be centered at the galactic center. Hole or not.

Matter outside this orbit will have no impact. (unless it is too near of course. Iam talking of stars lying out of your said orbit around the galactic center.

This comes from the caluculus invented by Newton many years ago.

It really does not matter whether the circumscribed matter is "all stars" or "all planets" or "all cloud" or "all or part black hole. Period.

So dont worry.
The sun has circled the galaxy every 225 million years in its 4.5 billion years life. And the earth has survived all sorts of catastrophes.

Whats so important about this particular solstice?
(225 million solstices per galactic orbit!!!)

regards
Jayen