how much force would it take to shift the earth off it's course

Full Answer

How much does the Earth's axis of rotation change in a year?

The position of Earth's figure axis also changes all the time, by about 1 meter (3.3 feet) over the course of a year, or about six times more than the change that should have been caused by the Japan quake.".

How have the poles of the Earth changed over time?

The north and south magnetic poles, which affect things like navigation, drift and even switch places back and forth over time. Earth’s other kind of pole is the axis around which the planet physically spins. This axis has also slightly shifted over time, but scientists haven’t been able to exactly figure out why.

Why is the Earth's axis shifting?

And it's mostly our fault. Earth’s axis has shifted due to climate change. Melting glaciers and overuse of groundwater account for much of the change. Regions like Alaska and the Himalayas have experienced the most glacial melting.

How much did the Japan earthquake shift the Earth's axis?

The calculations also show the Japan quake should have shifted the position of Earth's figure axis (the axis about which Earth's mass is balanced) by about 17 centimeters (6.5 inches), towards 133 degrees east longitude.

How much does the Earth's figure axis change over time?

The position of Earth's figure axis also changes all the time, by about 1 meter (3.3 feet) over the course of a year, or about six times more than the change that should have been caused by the Japan quake.".

What changes Earth's rotation?

Gross said that, in theory, anything that redistributes Earth's mass will change Earth's rotation. "Earth's rotation changes all the time as a result of not only earthquakes, but also the much larger effects of changes in atmospheric winds and oceanic currents," he said.

What did Gross say about earthquakes?

Gross said the changes in Earth's rotation and figure axis caused by earthquakes should not have any impacts on our daily lives. "These changes in Earth's rotation are perfectly natural and happen all the time," he said. "People shouldn't worry about them.". Alan Buis 818-354-0474.

How accurate is the figure axis?

However, since the position of the figure axis can be measured to an accuracy of about 5 centimeters (2 inches), the estimated 17-centimeter shift in the figure axis from the Japan quake may actually be large enough to observe if scientists can adequately remove the larger effects of the atmosphere and ocean from the Earth rotation measurements.

How far is the Earth's figure axis offset from the Earth's axis?

Earth's figure axis should not be confused with its north-south axis; they are offset by about 10 meters (about 33 feet).

Does the Earth's figure axis shift?

This shift in Earth's figure axis will cause Earth to wobble a bit differently as it rotates, but it will not cause a shift of Earth's axis in space—only external forces such as the gravitational attraction of the sun, moon and planets can do that.

How fast does a Saturn V exhaust move?

Because the average exhaust velocity of a Saturn V first stage is only about 3,000 meters per second, to generate a velocity change of 1,200 meters per second would require using about a third of the mass of the Earth as propellant—and that’s just for the first billion years of operation!

How many stellar systems are there within 100 light years?

However, there are over 12,000 stellar systems within 100 light years. That would drop the apparent magnitude of the planet-moving rocket to 16th, about the brightness of Pluto’s moon Charon as seen from the Earth.

What is the purpose of tethers in a tow rocket?

In addition to transferring the thrust from the tow rockets to the Earth, the tethers could also act as skyhook cable systems , facilitating the transport of propellant from the Earth’s surface up to the tow rockets .

Is a planetary scale object as delicate as a falling drop of water?

Another "technical" problem is that any planetary scale object, esp. one with a liquid interior like the Earth, is really as delicate as a falling drop of water. Imparting stress loads on it, even gradual ones, is not an easy process and is messy. Like trying to eat soup with a fork.

Why is the Earth's axis shifting?

Earth’s axis has shifted due to climate change. Melting glaciers and overuse of groundwater account for much of the change. Regions like Alaska and the Himalayas have experienced the most glacial melting.

What are the two poles of the Earth?

Earth has two kinds of poles. The north and south magnetic poles, which affect things like navigation, drift and even switch places back and forth over time. Earth’s other kind of pole is the axis around which the planet physically spins. This axis has also slightly shifted over time, but scientists haven’t been able to exactly figure out why.

Which magnetic poles affect navigation?

The north and south magnetic poles, which affect things like navigation, drift and even switch places back and forth over time. Earth’s other kind of pole is the axis around which the planet physically spins. This axis has also slightly shifted over time, but scientists haven’t been able to exactly figure out why.