Moving the Earth

Moving the Earth farther away from the sun as the Sun grows hotter during its current hydrogen burning phase has been considered by planetary scientists, including some at Cornell University.[1][2]

Various mechanisms have been proposed to increase the size of the Earth's orbit.[3] The most plausible method would involve redirecting asteroids roughly about 100 km wide via gravity assists around the Earth's orbit and towards Jupiter or Saturn and back in order to gradually move the Earth away from the Sun in order to keep it within the continuously habitable zone. However, this scenario has many practical drawbacks: besides the fact that such a scenario spans vast timescales far longer than human history, it would also put life on Earth at risk, as the repeated encounters could cause the Earth to potentially lose its Moon, therefore severely disrupting Earth's climate and rotation. Additionally, the encounters would require said asteroids to pass extremely dangerously close to Earth, and one slight miscalculation would end up causing the asteroid to hit the Earth instead and potentially sterilizing it, at least down to the level of bacteria, and that the damage done cannot be overemphasized.

See also

References
  1. Korycansky, D.G.; Laughlin, Gregory; Adams, Fred C. (2001). "Astronomical engineering: a strategy for modifying planetary orbits". Astrophysics and Space Science. 275 (4): 349–366. arXiv:astro-ph/0102126. Bibcode:2001Ap&SS.275..349K. doi:10.1023/A:1002790227314. ISSN 0004-640X.
  2. McKie, Robin (June 9, 2001). "Nasa aims to move Earth". The Guardian. Retrieved March 12, 2017.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  3. Hecht, Jeff (October 20, 2008). "Moving the Earth: a planetary survival guide". New Scientist. Retrieved March 12, 2017.

Further reading
  • Korycansky, D. G. (2004). "Astroengineering, or how to save the Earth in only one billion years". In Guillermo García-Segura (ed.). Gravitational Collapse: From Massive Stars to Planets : Ensenada, B.C., México, Diciembre 8-12, 2003. UNAM. pp. 117–120. Bibcode:2004RMxAC..22..117K. ISBN 978-970-32-1160-9.
  • McInnes, Colin R. (2002). "Astronomical Engineering Revisited: Planetary Orbit Modification Using Solar Radiation Pressure". Astrophysics and Space Science. 282 (4): 765–772. Bibcode:2002Ap&SS.282..765M. doi:10.1023/A:1021178603836. ISSN 0004-640X.


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