What is the Significance of a Secular Timescale?

  • Thread starter Simfish
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In summary, the term "secular" can refer to a variety of time scales, from short term to long term. In the context of astronomy, it can mean a non-periodic or chaotic orbit, while in mathematics and finance, it may refer to a long term trend. The term "secular" is derived from the Latin word for "age" and has no religious connotations.
  • #1
Simfish
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"act on any time scale from short term, commensurable with the orbit periods to secular (measured in 104 to 106 years)."

is a sentence with it.

I can't google up a good definition of "secular" in this context
 
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  • #2
Secular means non-periodic
Of course you have to look at an infinite length of data before you decide that it isn;t periodic on some longer timescale!

It's form the original latin secular=age, nothing to do with secular=not religous
 
  • #3
I thought it meant "once in an age" or "extremely long period" rather than non-periodic. In this case I think it means "long term" considering it's usage in justaposition to 'short term' in the example sentence.

See http://www.springerlink.com/content/x7884617p417485h/".

Google "secular orbit" or "secular interaction".
 
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  • #4
In maths/finance secualr variation means a long term overall trend.
In astronomy I thought it meant a variation that is doesn't repeat or isn't predictable - like a chaotic orbit.
 

What is a secular timescale?

A secular timescale is a way of measuring time that is based on the natural processes and events that have occurred on Earth over millions of years. It is often used in the fields of geology, paleontology, and astronomy to study the history of the Earth and the evolution of life.

How is a secular timescale different from other timescales?

A secular timescale is unique in that it is not based on human history or societal events, but rather on natural processes such as geological formations and biological evolution. This makes it a more accurate and reliable way to measure time on a larger scale.

What are the main units of a secular timescale?

The main units of a secular timescale are eons, eras, periods, and epochs. These divisions are based on significant changes in the Earth's geological and biological history, such as mass extinctions or the formation of new continents.

How do scientists determine the age of events on a secular timescale?

Scientists use various methods such as radiometric dating, fossil records, and geological layers to determine the age of events on a secular timescale. These methods rely on the principles of radioactive decay and the Law of Superposition to estimate the age of rocks and fossils.

Why is a secular timescale important in scientific research?

A secular timescale allows scientists to study the history of the Earth and the evolution of life in a systematic and organized manner. It also provides a framework for understanding the relationships between different geological and biological events, and helps us make predictions about future changes on our planet.

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