- #1
Slarty
I would like to know in what ways the earth’s orbit might be modified by the close approach of a massive body from beyond the solar system, such as an orphan earth, Jupiter, super Jupiter planet or brown dwarf.
The “variables” of interest being the amount of warning we would receive by virtue of the size/luminosity of the approaching body, the degree to which the orbit could be changed and the level of disruption to human civilization.
Of particular interest are scenarios that drastically change the orbit but do so in such a way that avoids extreme devastation to human civilization during the “fly by” phase of the encounter (notwithstanding the devastation that would undoubtedly occur later due to dislocation of the planetary weather systems to name but one effect ).
Is a short warning / large event possible or would all such events be spotted decades/centuries in advance?
The “variables” of interest being the amount of warning we would receive by virtue of the size/luminosity of the approaching body, the degree to which the orbit could be changed and the level of disruption to human civilization.
Of particular interest are scenarios that drastically change the orbit but do so in such a way that avoids extreme devastation to human civilization during the “fly by” phase of the encounter (notwithstanding the devastation that would undoubtedly occur later due to dislocation of the planetary weather systems to name but one effect ).
Is a short warning / large event possible or would all such events be spotted decades/centuries in advance?