the moonโs orbit around the earth is elliptical. this means it doesnโt orbit the earth in a perfect circle. the average distance of the moon from the earth is therefore 384,400km. however, this is the average distance from the center of the moon from the center of the earth; if you count surface-to-surface distance, the average distance of the moon from the earth is 376,000km.
here are the average diameters of all the planets in km: mercury (4,879), venus (12,104), mars (6,779), jupiter (139,822), saturn, including rings (120,700), uranus (50,724), neptune (49,244). the sum of these distances is 384,252km.ย
therefore, lining up the planets according to their average diameter will not allow them to fit in the average surface-to-surface distance between the earth and the moon. however, most planets are not perfectly spherical. they are larger at the equator because differing rotation speeds at the equator and the poles causes them to beย โsquishedโ vertically. so, if we line up the planets from pole-to-pole (i.e. lying down on their sides), their total diameter would be 364,799km, making them fit comfortably into the space between the earth and the moon.ย
another thing is that the distance of 376,000km between the earth and the moon is only an average distance due to the moonโs elliptical orbit. at its nearest to the earth (lunar perigee), the moon is about 348,000km away from the earth - needless to say, the planets donโt fit into this distance at all (unless neptune is suddenly out of the equation). however, this all also means that there is a time where the moon is farthestย from the earth - called the lunar apogee - where the distance between her surface and our surface is about 398,000km. the planets can fit comfortably into this space no matter whether you align them equator-to-equator or pole-to-pole. you can even fit in pluto (2,370km across its equator).
so, in conclusion, yes, the 4th one is true.
pixelskylines
snowghoul
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blakekathryn
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