How do we know the shape of our solar system when we have not crossed it?
Question:
Answer:
we know the shape of the solar system because we know from tracking the movement of planets that they orbit the sun, as they orbit the sun they must be going round it, so that is a slightly stretched oval shape. We can estimate where planets are (i.e. how far away they are) by using stars that we know are different distances away and measuring or by using the Hubble Telescope that can see all the way to Pluto and further and measure the distance.
How do you know the shape of an egg when you have not eaten it? Or of a football field when you have not run down it?
We know because we've seen it. We've looked at it the same way you look at an egg or a football field or anything else.
Also, we have sent spaceships all the way across our solar system. So, your premise is faulty to begin with.
Its called a telescope and it allows you to see objects from a far, and we have satellites that can take pictures.
Laws of motion cannot be changed. Therefore using these laws and measuring the postion of the planets against the starry background we have been able to determine the basic shape of our solar system. The outer planets were found by taking pictures over different nights and comparing each speck of light between the two pictures till one was found in a different place. You can bring this to home as an experiment. You KNOW a football field is a rectangle. That cannot be changed. With your eyes open, run around the edge of the football field counting as you run. Stay right on the baseline. Now run it a second time with your eyes closed. Have a friend with you just to tell you left or right to stay on course as you cant do this with your eyes closed. Counting the seconds you will be able to run the field again as you know it is a rectangel and has not changed.
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