Mars Has A Massive Impact On Earth's Climate, New Study Suggests
The Daily Galaxy • • science
Key Points:
- A new study published in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific reveals that Mars' gravitational influence significantly affects Earth's climate cycles, axial tilt, and potentially the evolution of life.
- Researchers from the University of California, Riverside, found through orbital simulations that Mars acts as a cosmic stabilizer, preventing extreme shifts in Earth's axial tilt that drive global climate patterns and ice ages.
- Increasing Mars' mass in simulations showed a stabilizing effect on Earth's tilt, indicating Mars' position and mass are crucial in maintaining Earth's long-term climate stability despite its modest size.
- The study suggests that in the search for habitable exoplanets, scientists should consider the gravitational effects of neighboring planets, as these interactions may be vital in sustaining
