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Chuck Gould Chuck Gould is offline
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First recorded activity by BoatBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,117
Default Nautical word...

On Feb 22, 10:20�am, "Calif Bill" wrote:
"Chuck Gould" wrote in message

ups.com...

In the interest of sustaining this worthwhile feature in the NG, I
offer:


barycenter (n): A theoretical point 810 miles below the surface of
planet Earth. This point is the rotational center of the Earth and
Moon. The gravitational *attraction between Earth and Moon affect the
oceans and their tides; centrifugal forces result from *their
revolutions around the barycenter.


( above definition by Lenfestey/Lenfestey)


The barycenter is a definite consideration when examining the physics
of tides, particularly the standing wave on the side of Earth opposite
the position of the moon.


It is defined as the Center of Mass of a System, not the center of
rotation..


In a sense it is also a center of rotation, of the combined masses.

Here's a link to a site that offers a free "gravity simulator" that
demonstrates
celestial bodies rotating around a common barycenter. I wasn't sure I
wanted to download the required program to view it:

http://www.orbitsimulator.com/gravit...arycenter.html