I learned something interesting about the moon and the earth + climate(vanity)

[Ancient Drive]

I was watching this program about the moon and the important role it plays on stabilizing earth. One of the things it does is keep it from wobbling all over the place. It keeps the earth fairly balanced, but every now and then the planet tilts 5 degrees up or down causing massive climatic changes. The last tilt turned what we now know as the Sahara desert from a lush green forest with rivers into the pile of sand it is today. So I'm thinking ok.. we have these tilts every now and then let's not forget solar flares + magnetic pole shifts. I pity the fools that drive Prius es!

[exnavy]

I am cautious about believing anything I see on TV.

[Jonty30]

I think man’s warlike activities also had a lot to do with the Sahara being desert.

[TigersEye]

I saw that show too. It also mentioned that Mars’ moon is much too small to stabilize it and its axis moves all over the place. Yet in other shows they have no problem talking about terraforming Mars into a planet with plants, water, atmosphere and all the rest. But it’s clear that it can’t be done with the poles wandering all over the place.

[shibumi]

I worry a lot about Guam tipping over.

[Texas Fossil]

The last tilt turned what we now know as the Sahara desert from a lush green forest with rivers into the pile of sand it is today.

Please, show me proof.

Yes, the Sunspot Cycle does affect weather variability. Fact. Known for 100+ years. Weather is more variable during sunspot minimums and maximums. But much of "known climate science" is pure hogwash.

[djf]

Yes, the Earths axial tilt varies from about 22 degrees to 27 degrees about every 40,000 years, IIRC.

Lemme check my Flammarions...

[Explorer89]

Everyone, do not panic. The earth’s axis precesses http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axial_precession_(astronomy) in a cycle that is about 25,000 years. That is what drives the changes in the astrological ages, like from Pisces to the Age of Aquarius, which, as we all remeber from the song, we are in the dawn of. The axis tilt is what gives us winter and summer, so it would make sense that the wobble around the axis would also affect climate.

[djf]

That’s precession, in other words the speed the Zodiac signs change re: the day of the year.

From Wiki, talking about axial tilt:

scillates between 22.1 and 24.5 degrees on a 41,000-year cycle. It is currently 23.44 degrees and decreasing.

[Jonty30]

I wouldn’t worry about that.

If Guam should tip over, the islanders can go to You tube and watch the Log Driver’s Waltz to learn how to protect themselves.

rtsp://v5.cache6.c.youtube.com/CjYLENy73wIaLQn_xjdrZxmbuhMYJCAkFEIJbXYtZ29vZ2xlSARSBXdhdGNoYMvZhfrEjrrCTQw=/0/0/0/video.3gp

[beaversmom]

I saw something similar awhile back. Not sure if this was the program, but this is what I found on You Tube:

The effect the Moon has on the Earth’s climate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWXGvlDSYFA

[beaversmom]

Here’s another one:

Life on earth without the moon - History Channel (The Universe series)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j43GCAHAHo&;

[Explorer89]

Ypu are correct. I had forgotten that in addition to the “roll”, there is also a bit if a “pitch” to the axis. This documentary must have been talking about that. My bad, I pulled the trigger without thinking it through.

[21twelve]

“...about the moon and the important role it plays on stabilizing earth.”

Not related to climate (I don’t think!?) - but I also imagine the world would be quite a bit different without tidal action (obviously the various creatures, but a “cleansing” action of near shore areas, movement of nutrients, etc.)

I also find it interesting that the moon is the exact size, and the sun is the exact size, and the distance from the moon to earth is exact, and the distance from the moon to sun is exact - so that we have the pleasure of solar eclipses. Plus all of the science that we have obtained from those eclipses.

And not sure how much it aids in any science, and doubt it has any role to play on our environment - but also interesting that the rate of rotation of the moon is the rate as it transits earth - so we never get to see the far side of the moon.

But all just coincidences.

Psalm 8:3
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained...

[Straight Vermonter]

The real problem with terra-forming Mars is that it has no magnetosphere. The Earth’s magnetosphere keeps the solar winds from blowing our atmosphere away.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I thought the variation in the earth’s tilt was only +/- 1 degree, 22° 38’ to 24° 21’, with an nice periodic sway. Changes in the tilt do not change the total amount of sunlight incident on earth, just the depth of the seasons. There are several variables connected to the earth’s orbit and orientation that effect climate, refered to as Milankovitch cycles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milankovitch_cycles

For the variablity in the tilt, look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axial_tilt#Long_period_variations

[Question Liberal Authority]

The Moon is also pulling away from the Earth's orbit, at a rate of about a foot and a half per year. Once the Moon is free from the Earth's orbit, the Earth will be uninhabitable or nearly so.

However, most human life could already be extinguished by then if the Super Volcano at Yellowstone National Park erupts, or if the Earth's magnetic field reverses polarity, or if a huge solar flare or the right sized asteroid happens to whack the Earth.

Meanwhile, it's very important that you replace your 60 watt light bulbs with the more energy efficient variety filled with deadly mercury vapor.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

If the show you are referring to is History Channel's The Universe, I have to say I have a lot of reservations about that show. They tend to sensationalize and dramatize and give a lot of emphasis to doubtful hypotheses or obscure and unimportant facts. They make dubious analogies and sweeping, and imho, unwarranted generalizations.

I think the actual universe is interesting and intriguing enough that is does not need to be embellished or sensationalized.

[steelyourfaith]

Thanx for the ping ! Eccentricities in the earth's orbit plus fluctuations in solar activity --or-- the SUV?

 

Beam me to Planet Gore !

[PeaceBeWithYou]

Just turn on the reactor and Mars will live.