Yes, the pull will be the same in all directions, but the pulling "strength" depends on the distance from the Sun.

The Sun is certainly in the center of its own gravity well. However, objects in orbit around it are rarely circular. For whatever reason, they are slightly ellipital (like the Earth) or highly ellipitical (like a short period comet).

When they are farthest from the Sun, they experience less gravitational pull and they are at their slowest speed.

When they are closest to the Sun, they experience the highest pull, and also move at their fastest speed enabling them to sling past the Sun and escape from its larger pull.

This happens over and over again like clock work because the Sun is symmetric and consistant in its gravity well shape.

John

• yes - nish1234 - March 19, 2001 - 17:58 UTC
  • Einstein View of Space Time - admin - March 19, 2001 - 19:24 UTC
    • . - nish1234 - March 19, 2001 - 20:25 UTC
      • Orbits. - alexander - March 20, 2001 - 00:50 UTC
        • ? - nish1234 - March 20, 2001 - 19:17 UTC
          • Eliipces, parabolas, hyperbolas, etc. - alexander - March 23, 2001 - 22:13 UTC
            • Gravitational friction. - alexander - March 23, 2001 - 22:21 UTC
            • Hyperbolas - borealis_03 - April 4, 2002 - 16:03 UTC
      • Rubber Mat view of gravity - jhuggins - March 20, 2001 - 01:46 UTC