Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Earth's Orbit Altered by Close Encounter with a Passing Star, Scientists Discover

Researchers have determined that a passing star could have altered Earth's orbit three million years ago, potentially influencing the planet's development in a lasting manner.
This groundbreaking revelation was published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

According to the study, the star known as HD-7977 might have significantly changed the orbit of our planet around the Sun. This event is thought to have had a long-standing impact on Earth's evolutionary course.

Approximately 2.8 million years ago, HD-7977 is believed to have flown close by our Solar System. Scientists estimate the star approached the Sun to possibly within 31,000 astronomical units (AU). However, some projections suggest the encounter may have been as close as 4,000 AU.

While such proximity might seem improbable at first glance, close encounters of this nature are not uncommon. Researchers estimate that about every million years, another star passes within 50,000 AU of the Sun; even closer encounters within a distance of 10,000 AU occur approximately every ten million years.

Orbit simulations indicate that HD-7977 came sufficiently near to exert an influence on Earth's trajectory.

The plausibility of such an event is underscored by the understanding that the colossal gravitational forces exerted by the gas giants within our Solar System, such as Jupiter and Saturn, already affect Earth's orbit. Even minute changes in the paths of these giant planets can lead to alterations in Earth's orbital pattern.

Therefore, the passing star merely needed to cause disturbances in the orbits of these two giant planets, which in turn, would resonate down to Earth.

The orbit alterations prompted by the star's close passage are also suspected to have resulted in drastic climate changes on Earth. One notable illustration is the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum event that took place 56 million years ago, during which the planet's average temperature rose by 5-8 degrees Celsius.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
China Unveils AI App Inspired by Iron Man's Jarvis
Iranian Plots to Kill Jews in Europe Unveiled
Public Health Data Debate, Kidney Transplants, Wildfires, Typhoon Impact, and Controversial YouTube Bans: A Diverse Week in News
Sinner Makes History, Italy Upsets France, Ronaldo's 900th Career Goal, and More in Sports Highlights
Porn streamer OnlyFans paid owner $630mn in dividends
China ends tariffs on all goods exported to China from the poorest countries in the world it has diplomatic ties with, including 33 African nations
Ukraine's Major Government Reshuffle: Andrii Sybiha Appointed New Foreign Minister
WALZ'S FOR TRUMP": Gov. Tim Walz’s family is proudly expressing their 'strong support' for former President Trump
In a public interview yesterday, Putin openly said he wants Kamala Harris to win the 2024 election.
French Woman Testifies in Landmark Rape Trial
Michel Barnier Appointed as Prime Minister of France
Britain Plans to Combat 700 Years of Nepotism in Its Governmental System by Ending Hereditary Peerships in the House of Lords
The art technique of Grandma Mei Ling, age 82
Hungary's Dependence on Russian Oil
Mongolia Refuses to Arrest Putin Despite ICC Warrant
France Pilots Mobile Phone Ban in Schools
Hungary's Quest for Energy Stability Amid Global Tensions
Germany's Establishment War on Democracy: Blocking the People's Choice
WHO-Led Study Finds No Link Between Mobile Phones and Brain Cancer
Russian Missile Strike Kills 49 in Poltava, Ukraine
Major Cabinet Resignations in Ukraine
Putin Defies ICC Arrest Warrant with Mongolia Visit
Frenchman On Trial for Decade-long Abuse of Drugged Wife
Today in Venezuela, November in America? Venezuela, an arrest warrant was issued against the election loser, González
The British bus driver explains to usual suspects that they cannot travel without a ticket. Education is important.
Norway Sets New Electric Vehicle Sales Record
End of an Era: Volkswagen in Historic Factory Shutdowns in Germany
Turkey officially submits application requesting to join BRICS
U.S. seizes Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro's airplane in the Dominican Republic
Switzerland Urged to Reconsider Its 500-Year Neutrality
AfD's Historic Victory in Thuringia State Election, Germany
Rising Influence of AfD Highlights Growing East-West Divide in Germany
Spanish Police Arrest Three for Ibiza Luxury Home Robberies
AfD Secures Historic Victory in East German State Elections
EU Rejects Maduro’s Election Win Claim in Venezuela
EU and UK Reinstate 100ml Liquid Rule for Airport Security
Polish PM Threatens to Block Ukraine’s EU Bid Over Historical Dispute
French Lawmakers Initiate Impeachment Against Macron
Elon Musk Warns of US Bankruptcy Due to Government Overspending
Elon Musk Accuses Brazilian Supreme Court Justice of Election Interference
Germany's Far-Right AfD Set to Win Regional Elections
Universe May Have Had a Pre-Big Bang 'Secret Life'
Israeli Union Announces Nationwide Strike After Hostages Found Dead
Brazilian Judge Alexandre de Moraes Blocks Elon Musk's X
Volos Declares State of Emergency Due to Massive Fish Die-Off
Ukraine Successfully Test Fires First Indigenously-Made Ballistic Missile
Marseille Museum Hosts Nude Exhibition on Naturism
Russia Warns of World War III Risks Over Ukraine Conflict
Ukraine Proposes Next Peace Summit in Global South
Russia and Ukraine Exchange 115 Prisoners of War Each in UAE-Brokered Deal
×