A recent study suggests that a passing star’s gravitational tug could cause Mercury to collide with the sun, Venus, or Earth, leading to catastrophic consequences for our planet’s stability.
The solar system is often viewed as a stable and predictable place, but recent computer simulations suggest that it may be more vulnerable to external threats than previously thought. One of the most significant risks facing Earth is the gravitational tug of a passing star, which could potentially cause a planet to collide with our world or fling us out of the solar system altogether.
The Role of Mercury in Planetary Chaos
Mercury‘s orbit is known to be unstable due to its close proximity to Jupiter. As the innermost planet, Mercury’s elliptical orbit can become even more distorted by gravitational jiggles from Jupiter, putting it at risk of collision with either the sun or Venus. This chaos can sometimes cause Venus or Mars to crash into Earth or Earth to collide with the sun.
Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system, with a diameter of approximately 4,879 kilometers.
It orbits the sun at an average distance of about 58 million kilometers and has a highly eccentric orbit, which causes extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night.
Mercury's surface is heavily cratered, indicating a geologically inactive surface.
The planet's composition is primarily silicate rocks and iron, with a thin atmosphere composed mostly of helium and oxygen.
The Impact of Passing Stars
Astronomers have long known that passing stars can exacerbate this danger. ‘We wanted to explore the effects of passing stars on the solar system’s future,’ said Nathan Kaib, co-author of a recent study published in arXiv.org, ‘Our results show that once Mercury goes haywire, its orbit becomes so elliptical that it typically collides with either the sun or Venus.’ Their computer simulations used to explore the effects of passing stars on the solar system’s future.
A passing star is a star that passes close to our solar system, often appearing as a bright, moving object in the night sky.
These stars are typically distant from Earth and are only visible for a short period due to their high velocity.
According to NASA, there are approximately 200-300 nearby stars within 100 light-years of the Sun, with some passing close enough to be observed by amateur astronomers.
The closest recorded pass was that of Proxima Centauri, which came within 3.11 light-years in 2018.
The resulting chaos can sometimes cause Venus or Mars to crash into Earth or Earth to crash into the sun. Alternatively, Venus and Mars can fling our world toward Jupiter, and the giant planet’s gravity can eject Earth from the solar system altogether.
The Risk of Stellar Encounters
While the risk of a catastrophic event is low, with only 0.2 percent chance over the next 5 billion years, it’s still a significant concern. The most dangerous stars are those that come nearest to the sun, with a diameter less than 100 times as far from the sun as Earth is. Stars that move slowly, at less than 10 kilometers per second relative to the sun, also pose a risk.
Jupiter is a gas giant planet located in the outer reaches of our solar system.
With a diameter of approximately 142,984 kilometers, it is the largest of all the planets, making up about 2.5 times the mass of all the other planets combined.
Jupiter's atmosphere is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, with swirling clouds of ammonia, 'swirling' , water , and methane.
The planet has a massive storm system known as the Great Red Spot, which has been raging for centuries.
Pluto’s Vulnerability
In contrast, poor Pluto was thought to be safer than Earth due to its unique resonance with Neptune. However, recent simulations suggest that passing stars could alter this resonance, putting Pluto at risk of ejection from the solar system or collision with one of the giant planets.
Over the next 5 billion years, the chance of such an event befalling Pluto is about 4 percent – a risk 20 times greater than the risk facing Earth. This highlights the importance of considering the long-term influence of passing stars on our solar system’s dynamics.
Conclusion
While the possibility of catastrophic events caused by passing stars may seem daunting, it’s essential to acknowledge the potential risks and take steps to mitigate them. By understanding the complex dynamics at play in our solar system, we can better prepare for the unexpected and ensure a safer future for Earth and its inhabitants.
- sciencenews.org | A passing star could fling Earth out of orbit
