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How do moons stay in orbit?

How can you determine if six or seven moons can stay in a stable orbit around a planet without colliding or being flung out? I am trying to determine a formula which would explain stability in orbit.
Question asked by: Orokron

Asked on: 31 Aug 2009

Forces are what keep planets in orbit around the sun, and moons in orbit around their stars.

Well, it is one force in particular - it is gravity. The gravitational pull and the distance that the moon is at are what keep it in orbit - if it were too far away to be under the influence of the gravitational pull it would gradually drift away, too close and it would be pulled on a collision course with the planet.

By: stephy
Replied at: 01 Sep 2009
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orbit  stay  moons  

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