Newton's modification of Kepler's Third Law lets us measure the mass of the Sun.

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Newton's modification of Kepler's Third Law states that the square of a planet's orbital period is proportional to the cube of its semi-major axis and the mass of the central body. By measuring the orbital periods and distances of the planets in our Solar System, we can use this law to calculate the mass of the Sun. Newton's modification of Kepler's Third Law states that the square of a planet's period is proportional to the cube of its average distance from the Sun, and also depends on the mass of the Sun. Therefore, by knowing the period and distance of a planet, we can calculate the mass of the Sun.

Newton's Modification of Kepler's Third Law Lets Us Measure the Mass