Has the Tsunami Changed Our Pole Star?

  • Thread starter vinee
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Pole Star
In summary, the conversation discusses a minor change in the tilt of the Earth's axis due to the tsunami and whether or not it has affected the position of Polaris, the Pole star. It is mentioned that the Earth's axis does experience precession, causing the North Celestial Pole to eventually move away from Polaris. The conversation also touches on the ancient Greeks' knowledge of this precession.
  • #1
vinee
4
0
hey there, idunno if this has been discussed before.

there were a lot of articles abt a minor change in the tilt of the Earth's axis
becoz of the tsunami , does tht mean our pole star have also changed ?

any other noticeable effects of this ??

than x

vinee..
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • #2
Hi vinee welcome to these Forums!

The change to the Earth's axis is very small and has not affected Polaris, the Pole star, being near the celestial pole. It is about 10 away from it in any case.

However there is a precession of the Earth's axis, because it is wobbling like a spinning top, which means the Earth's celestial pole describes a circle on the celestial sphere that is 570 in diameter. However it takes about 26,000 years for the Earth to complete one ‘wobble’ and it is only noticed if you observe the position of the stars relative to the rotation of the Earth very carefully over a period of time. Eventually the North Celestial Pole will move away from Polaris and other star will have the distinction of being ‘the Pole Star’.

Nevertheless the ancient Greeks knew about this precession, which means they must have kept accurate records over a long time!

A spinning top wobbles because of the action of the Earth’s gravity; the Earth itself wobbles because of the action of the Moon’s gravity on it.

I hope this helps.

Garth
 
  • #3
thanx a lot
 

Related to Has the Tsunami Changed Our Pole Star?

1. How can a natural disaster like a tsunami affect the Earth's pole star?

Natural disasters like tsunamis can cause the Earth's crust to shift, which can also affect the distribution of mass on the planet. This redistribution of mass can cause a change in the Earth's rotation and axis, subsequently altering the position of the pole star.

2. Is there any evidence to support the claim that the tsunami has changed our pole star?

Yes, there have been studies and observations that suggest the pole star has shifted slightly following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. However, it is important to note that this shift is relatively small and may not be noticeable to the naked eye.

3. How significant is the impact of the tsunami on the Earth's pole star?

The impact of the tsunami on the Earth's pole star is relatively minor and does not significantly affect the overall rotation and axis of the planet. The shift in the pole star's position is only a few centimeters, which is not significant in terms of the Earth's size and scale.

4. Are there any long-term effects of this change in the pole star's position?

No, there are no long-term effects of the change in the pole star's position caused by the tsunami. The Earth's rotation and axis will eventually stabilize and any slight shifts in the pole star's position will likely go back to its original position over time.

5. Can we expect more changes in the Earth's pole star in the future due to natural disasters?

While it is possible for natural disasters to cause small shifts in the Earth's pole star, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on its overall position. The Earth's rotation and axis are constantly changing due to various factors, but these changes are usually gradual and not solely caused by natural disasters.

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
974
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
1
Views
733
  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Media
2
Replies
41
Views
3K
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
14
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Back
Top