The Best in Science News and Amazing Breakthroughs
Earth's climate has swung between ice ages and warmer periods for millions of years, driven by subtle changes in our planet's orbit and axial tilt. These variations, known asThe gravitational pull of other planets constantly tugs at Earth, slowly altering its orbital path, the tilt of its axis, and the direction its poles point.
The red planet Mars, as captured here by the Hope orbiter, has an unexpected impact on our seasons. Researchers led by Stephen Kane ran computer simulations that varied Mars's mass from zero to ten times its current value, tracking how these changes affected Earth's orbital variations over millions of years. The results establish Mars as a key player in determining the seasons here on Earth. The most stable feature across all simulations was the 405,000-year eccentricity cycle, driven by interactions between Venus and Jupiter. This"metronome" persists regardless of Mars's mass, providing a steady beat underlying Earth's climate variations. However, the shorter ~100,000-year cycles that pace ice age transitions depend critically on Mars. As Mars becomes more massive in the simulations, these cycles lengthen and gain power, consistent with enhanced coupling among the inner planets' orbital motions. Perhaps most strikingly, when Mars's mass approaches zero in the models, a crucial climate pattern disappears entirely.The 2.4 million-year"grand cycle," which causes long-term climate fluctuations, exists only because Mars has sufficient mass to create the right gravitational resonance. This cycle, related to the slow rotation of Earth's and Mars's orbits, affects how much sunlight Earth receives over millions of years. Earth's axial tilt, or obliquity, also responds to Mars's gravitational influence. The familiar 41,000-year obliquity cycle that appears in geological records lengthens as Mars becomes more massive. With a Mars ten times heavier than reality, this cycle shifts to a dominant period of 45,000 to 55,000 years, dramatically altering the pattern of ice sheet growth and retreat. Past and future Milankovitch cycles via VSOP model Graphic shows variations in five orbital elements: Axial tilt or obliquity . Eccentricity . Longitude of perihelion ). Precession index ) Precession index and obliquity control insolation at each latitude: Daily-average insolation at top of atmosphere on summer solstice at 65° N Ocean sediment and Antarctic ice strata record ancient sea levels and temperatures. This new discovery also helps us to assess the habitability of Earth-like exoplanets by understanding the impact from other planets in the same system.A terrestrial planet with a massive neighbor in the right orbital configuration might experience climate variations that prevent runaway freezing or make its seasons more conducive to life. The research demonstrates that Earth's Milankovitch cycles aren't just about Earth and the Sun. They're a product of our entire planetary neighborhood, with Mars playing an unexpectedly important supporting role in shaping our climate.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Inside Becky G's 'Rebbeca' Documentary: Her Story, Family Influence and Where to WatchLiz Calvario is a Los Angeles-based reporter and editor for TODAY.com who covers entertainment, pop culture and trending news.
Read more »
Tom Krasovic: Philip Rivers and his beautiful mind are back in the NFL, and it’s no surpriseThe former San Diego Chargers quarterback’s return is surprising until you think about it.
Read more »
Texas Longhorns Make Surprising Coaching Change to Steve Sarkisian's StaffSteve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns are parting ways with a notable assistant coach after just one season with the program.
Read more »
PFF ships a surprising name to the Bears in their most recent mock draftChicago's secondary could look A LOT different this time next season.
Read more »
Surprising Secrets Behind National Lampoon's ClassicDrumroll, please......drumroll.
Read more »
Candace Cameron Bure admits surprising parenting regret from her decade as a stay-at-home momFox News Channel offers its audiences in-depth news reporting, along with opinion and analysis encompassing the principles of free people, free markets and diversity of thought, as an alternative to the left-of-center offerings of the news marketplace.
Read more »