3 ms·
Yes, so long as its mass distribution is spherically symmetric. The oblateness and other imperfections in the Earth do measurably affect satellite orbits, to t
by DavidSJ 7y ago
Yes, so long as its mass distribution is spherically symmetric.
The oblateness and other imperfections in the Earth do measurably affect satellite orbits, to the point where precision GPS navigation must incorporate corrections.
- saagarjha 7y agoGPS satellites need to be absurdly precise to work: they need to account for both kinds of relativity and literally carry atomic clocks to make sure that they can provide consistent time. Most bodies are more or less spherical enough for the shell theorem to be a very good approximation.