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Author Topic:   Why Doesn't the Moon Have Life?
Vacate
Member (Idle past 4600 days)
Posts: 565
Joined: 10-01-2006


Message 57 of 97 (425229)
10-01-2007 12:39 PM
Reply to: Message 54 by Scoopy
10-01-2007 12:01 PM


I read somewhere that if the earth's tilt was a few degrees off or it was a few miles closer or further from the sun, nothing would survive, it would be too cold or too hot.
The tilt of the Earth's axis is the cause for our seasons. You may be correct about a change in the tilt could result in no life - I haven't done any reading on the subject. A quick search did show that scientists have looked into the possibility that it has changed - one possible explanation for glacial cycles. (Changes in Earth's tilt control when glacial cycles end)
A few mile change closer or further from the sun would make little difference however. Our normal trip around the sun takes us from 147.5 million kilometers (Perihelion) to 152.5 million kilometers (Apehilion). A small change would not have much effect.
I don't remember where I read that but that would explain why the moon has no life.
Its possible that the axial tilt would be a factor, I can't really comment.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 54 by Scoopy, posted 10-01-2007 12:01 PM Scoopy has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 89 by Scoopy, posted 10-03-2007 7:39 AM Vacate has not replied

  
Vacate
Member (Idle past 4600 days)
Posts: 565
Joined: 10-01-2006


Message 75 of 97 (425452)
10-02-2007 11:10 AM
Reply to: Message 74 by Scoopy
10-02-2007 10:53 AM


Re: Precession and Axial Tilt
was that if the tilt were to be 2 or 3 degrees further out during winter or closer to the sun during summer.
I would suggest though that given the earth has shown to tilt more than two or three degrees and life did not all die out that the hypothesis is incorrect.
Given that we vary by a few million miles in distance from the sun I also believe that this would have little effect on life on earth.
Again, all I was doing was contributing to the conversation.
I for one am glad you did. I had to go look up tilts and distances to see if you had a point. Ideas are fine, people just get jumpy here if they believe your asserting them as fact (not saying you had)
Maybe I'm not good enough to join forums like this one.
A thick skin and a careful choosing of words and you will do just fine. Welcome to EvC

This message is a reply to:
 Message 74 by Scoopy, posted 10-02-2007 10:53 AM Scoopy has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 76 by Scoopy, posted 10-02-2007 11:19 AM Vacate has replied

  
Vacate
Member (Idle past 4600 days)
Posts: 565
Joined: 10-01-2006


Message 79 of 97 (425459)
10-02-2007 11:54 AM
Reply to: Message 76 by Scoopy
10-02-2007 11:19 AM


Re: Precession and Axial Tilt
I understand that we vary by millions of miles in distance from the sun. What I was saying was that if the MAXIMUM distance was changed to be further than it ever has been, or the MINIMUM distance was changed to be closer than it ever has been before.
I am far from an expert, but what I have done to come up with an answer is to look at the other planets to see if there is some correlation. Take Venus, Earth, and Mars -
  • Perihelion : 108 , 149 , 206
  • Aphelion : 108 , 152 , 249
  • Mean Temp : 464 , 15 , -65
    Just looking at distance compared to temp you would expect a larger change in the mean temp comparing Mars and Earth, than Venus to Earth, yet thats not what is shown. There is only about an 80 degree difference for Earth and Mars but over 400 degrees comparing Earth and Venus. Distance, though having an effect, does not seem to be the major factor in understanding the average temperatures. The atmosphere (or lack of) and axial tilt, I would suggest, are the more important factors.
    Mercury, though roughly half the distance to the Sun as Venus has only 167 degree mean temp. Less than half the temp even though its closer. Distance vs. temperature simply does not show drastic changes as you would expect.
    Planetary Fact Sheet

  • This message is a reply to:
     Message 76 by Scoopy, posted 10-02-2007 11:19 AM Scoopy has not replied

      
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