If an asteroid came close enough to earth to push it one degree off its axis, what hypothetically would happen

Question

Severe effects from Global warming, flooding

Answer 1

A LOT of things, but the one I believe that would most prominent would be a change in climate.

All the seasons of the year, wherever you are, depend on the tilt of the earth in respect to the sun. So, if that factor were changed, you can bet the seasons would change. You also might notice growing irregularities in the earth's orbit around the sun. It could have an affect on the moon's orbit, which, in turn, would affect the tides. There's a lot of crazy stuff that could go on. Personally, I'd be more worried about the general population freakin' out and going nuts. Bomb shelters, anyone?

Answer 2

Firstly, there aren't that many asteroids large enough to do that. The most likely candidate would be if a small star wandered into or close to our Solar System.

But the possibility of moving the Earth off its axis is intriguing. One of the results that are overlooked is that, due to the Earth's spin, the Earth is fatter across the equator than the Poles and if the rotation axis changed, even one degree, there would be a redistribution of this bulge. Firstly would be the waters of the oceans. The water would distribute itself en masse, causing widespread tsunami damage. Probably every low lying city would get swamped.

But worse than that is that the "solid" terrain would try to redistribute to create spin equilibrium. The stresses in the crust would be horrendous and the resulting earthquakes would add massive devastation on top of the Tsunami.

The redistribution of all that water would spawn violent weather patterns, but with all the other stuff going on, you might not worry too much about that.

Tears in the crust would then no doubt spawn volcanoes and activate existing ones. The resulting emissions into the atmosphere would send the world into a "nuclear" winter, crops would fail, and hunger and cold would finish off all those that survived the other cataclysms.

But rest easy on that scenario. It is thousands of times more likely that a much smaller asteroid will actually hit us and produce much the same devastation by its direct transfer of kinetic energy to trash our planet.

Answer 3

An merchandise as tremendous as Mars would bring about the finished destruction of the Earth. It does no longer even favor a right away hit. Even 5 days does no longer provide us sufficient time to do something. Our contemporary weapon technologies isn't sufficient for us to spoil - or maybe deflect - something that length on such short note. Heck, we will be pressed to keep away from entire catastrophe regardless of a three hundred and sixty 5 days's note. 5 days, or 5 minutes, it would not matter. Any style of broadcast about forthcoming doom would bring about the best of society. There will be mass suicides, rioting, looting, homicide, rape, you call it, on a global scale. BTW, it does no longer take something the size of Mars to spoil the Earth. Even something about 0.5 the diameter of the Moon would extremely a lot throw up a wave of fireplace and lava that would really blow off the ambience and scrape the crust of the Earth sparkling off the planet. it will be like turning the clock decrease back 3 billion years, at the same time as the planet's floor become no longer something yet a sea of lava. the best information is, you does no longer sense an element. in case you weren't instantly away pulverized through the initial impact, the wall of fireplace transferring around the realm at many cases the speed of sound would instantly away vaporize you...and each little thing round you. There will be no position to disguise, no thanks to flee. apart from the declares we've been beaming into area for the previous 80-mind-blowing years, we would only vanish with no hint

Answer 4

It would have to be a very large object- roughly 1/100 the mass of the earth to do what you're asking. However, due to the gravitiy well that we're in using Bodes law, it would "wobble" a few degrees then in a few years would straighten out- not a problem actually.

Answer 5

One degree isn't much, but if the tilt increased from the present 23.4 degrees to 24.4 degrees, the seasons would get a little more extreme, colder winters and hotter summers. By the way, Earth's axial tilt is believed to naturally fluctuate between 21.5 and 24.5 degrees, which is more than the shift you are considering.

Answer 6

They would stop whining about Global warming and start whining about an Ice Age!!! Ha! Not real sure, but, could happen.

Answer 7

If that ever happened, which will not, things that nick s said will probably happen. I think that humans would find a way to survive. Mabye by moving to the moon or Mars.

Answer 8

i think it would be safe to assume that both the seasons would chonge differently then they presently do, and, precession of the equinoxes would be dramatically affected as well. to a small degree, we would also loose some parts of some constillations and gain view of objects we don't normally see with the naked eye.

Answer 9

Wow great question that is something to ponder on.It seems like a lot could happen though.scary stuff too.

Answer 10

very bad things wud happen and eventually we will die.