Space weather...

[mashman]

Just for the hell of it... Earthquake prediction site, not moon man related, but they are making regional "predictions"... could be worth keeping an eye on to see how their science, yes science, is going

Well they've claimed 5 in the last 24 hours or so. All predicted 9 - 10 days ago, but all coming in early, 3 outwith the variance. Could it be that the recent solar winds have sped either the moon or the earth up? Dunno, perhaps the rest will come in early too, perhaps not...

[Winston001]

Could it be that the recent solar winds have sped either the moon or the earth up?

You do realise that a solar wind strong enough to move the earth would also strip every shred of our atmosphere and flay us alive?

[mashman]

You do realise that a solar wind strong enough to move the earth would also strip every shred of our atmosphere and flay us alive?

heh, I don't doubt that that is the case. However, , the averages i've seen are about 400km s and a few days ago, for at least 2 days, it was blowing at near double that. Pretty quick... I am assuming that the Earth and Moon are used to the "average" solar wind and was wondering if an increase in solar wind could potentially spin Earth slightly faster, or slower for that matter or indeed slow or speed up the moons pace across the sky.

If the moon is partially responsible for earthquakes and planets do speed up and slow down (part of an "space" earthquake calculation I saw), then even though the Earth and/or Moon may have only sped by 1 km/h, or even 0.01, given the distance between Earth and Moon, that could be 100's if not 1000's of kms from where a "force" was meant to push/pull given an average solar wind. Just thinkin, badly maybe, but it would seem "plausible"?

[Winston001]

However, , the averages i've seen are about 400km s and a few days ago, for at least 2 days, it was blowing at near double that. Pretty quick... I am assuming that the Earth and Moon are used to the "average" solar wind and was wondering if an increase in solar wind could potentially spin Earth slightly faster, or slower for that matter or indeed slow or speed up the moons pace across the sky.

The solar wind from the sun is composed of photons (sunlight, solar flares) which is termed electromagnetic radiation, and high speed particles from atoms ripped apart through fusion.

The sun is gigantic. We can't really comprehend just how big and powerful it is. However, we are 150 million km away so only a tiny fraction of the solar wind strikes the Earth and the Moon. Imagine a dragon breathing fire at you - but from a kilometer away. You might feel warm but it won't push you around.

The solar wind is thin - very thin. Even satellites don't get moved around by it. The Earth is massive by comparison.

If the moon is partially responsible for earthquakes and planets do speed up and slow down (part of an "space" earthquake calculation I saw), then even though the Earth and/or Moon may have only sped by 1 km/h, or even 0.01, given the distance between Earth and Moon, that could be 100's if not 1000's of kms from where a "force" was meant to push/pull given an average solar wind. Just thinkin, badly maybe, but it would seem "plausible"?

Certainly gravity is a significant force in the Universe. No argument. However we need to recognise that gravity is by far the weakest of the four fundamental forces, so weak in fact it is discounted in particle physics.

The crust of the Earth is made up of thin sheets of dirt floating on molten rock. Those sheets bump and grind causing earthquakes. The sheets are big enough to be pulled by gravity from the sun and the moon combined. This is also when we get spring tides because water moves much more freely than rock.

Even so, despite the sun and the moon getting into position pretty regularly, large destructive earthquakes are rare. The energy required to cause a major earthquake comes from pressures within the mantle, not from outer space.

In summary - the solar wind is really weak, and so is gravity. If this was not true, the solar system would have flown to pieces aeons ago, or else all fallen into the sun.

[pzkpfw]

... could potentially spin Earth slightly faster, or slower for that matter or indeed slow or speed up the moons pace across the sky. ...

You really think no one would have noticed?

[mashman]

You really think no one would have noticed?

I couldn't find anywhere that explained what I was seeking clarification on.

My reasons are many. From the ideas behind solar sails, to Venus spinning in a completely different direction to every other planet in the solar system, to planets supposedly not spinning at a constant speed...

[mashman]

thanks for the patience

This NASA document says that solar winds are responsible for ejecting some of our atmosphere into space. I found it whilst trying to ascertain what the solar wind is (still no further forwards really... they only ever seem to list its component makeup). It's as clear as mud

But your dragon example. If you dragon breathes fire at me twice as fast, would I feel warmer? Would I feel more of a pressure wave?

Anyhoo, as a sidebar, i didn't realise that Jupiter had lost one of its coloured rings... musta taken something quite incredible to have done that... kinda wondered why I could only see 1 of them during the summer , now I know

[pzkpfw]

I couldn't find anywhere that explained what I was seeking clarification on.

My reasons are many. From the ideas behind solar sails, to Venus spinning in a completely different direction to every other planet in the solar system, to planets supposedly not spinning at a constant speed...

I'm not asking about causes, but the specific effect you seem to think might have occured.

Just one thing I can think of - telescopes computer controlled to remain pointing at a particular star or whatever while the Earth spins.

Do you think those astronomers wouldn't have noticed if the rotation of the Earth had sped up or slowed down?

[imdying]

Anyhoo, as a sidebar, i didn't realise that Jupiter had lost one of its coloured rings... musta taken something quite incredible to have done that...

Wow with a capital W.

Do you think those astronomers wouldn't have noticed if the rotation of the Earth had sped up or slowed down?

All things related to the planets seem to consider a figure like a thousand years a mere blink in time, so no, they wouldn't notice if that were the case... if you dig?

[mashman]

I'm not asking about causes, but the specific effect you seem to think might have occured.

Just one thing I can think of - telescopes computer controlled to remain pointing at a particular star or whatever while the Earth spins.

Do you think those astronomers wouldn't have noticed if the rotation of the Earth had sped up or slowed down?

I wasn't making any particular statement, more looking for a clarification or something that'd point me in the right direction...

I've got one of those (must learn how to use it properly ), but I doubt it would highlight the changes in speed that i'm looking to clarify.

Heh, i'm not looking with to prove anything to anyone... just looking for a little knowledge with which to form an opinion on the Moon effects on earthquakes, trying to see what other potential factors there are that could affect the Earth Moon "dynamic".

As I understand it objects/instances of influenece that are far far away and directed 0.00000001 of a degree from the centre of Earth, could mean that by the time the object/influence got here, it would miss Earth by thousands of k's, or at least miss the centre by 1000's of k's etc... and was loosley coupling that to the "early" Earthquakes on the prediction site.

[marty]

In Earth's case, the annual wobble and the influence of the moon has caused our core to become molten too. If the moon has this much effect on the core and tides, then I think it quite believable that the Moon may have influence on earthquakes in some cases too.
Rick

do you have a link for that?

[oneofsix]

whether or not the solar winds affect the earth, or to what extent may be over taken by the Magnetic North Pole having apparently packed its visa for Russia.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news...ectid=10710542

The solar winds will affect earth just a matter of how much. The moon (according to discovery) is distancing itself from earth and if it does we could lose our atmosphere. Discovery also mentioned that the earth have an unusually large moon for its size etc.
I will defer this to smarter minds however. Just wanted to throw in that the changes in the core will have major effect on us.

[mashman]

... and the sun rose 2 days early over the Greenland horizon (sped up planet? or just off its axis?). Jupiter lost one of its prominent stripes last year (WTF that's the biggest planet in the solar system), beetlegeuse is supposed to be imploding/exploding/supernovafying itself (not sure how long it will take for us to see/feel it's effects), animals are dropping from the skies and washing up on to the beaches, fireballs have been crashing to earth but not making the news (4 or 5 this year from what i've read)... and my fave, we're supposed to be having a visit from a planet potentially 40 times the size of Earth in the very near future (could prove very interesting, if it isn't being felt already, see above)... Wish I had a better telescope and coordinates to point at

[Winston001]

Its good that you are curious and have an enquiring mind Mash. Just be wary of what you find on the net. It is too easy for people with a pet obsession to capture attention for their theories.

[Winston001]

whether or not the solar winds affect the earth, or to what extent may be over taken by the Magnetic North Pole having apparently packed its visa for Russia.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news...ectid=10710542

The solar winds will affect earth just a matter of how much. The moon (according to discovery) is distancing itself from earth and if it does we could lose our atmosphere. Discovery also mentioned that the earth have an unusually large moon for its size etc.
I will defer this to smarter minds however. Just wanted to throw in that the changes in the core will have major effect on us.

The Earth's magnetic field switches polarity every 300,000 years on average and Magnetic North has been moving about 40k/yr in recent times. That equates to a degree of longitude for Africa annually. Nothing magic, untoward or unknown.

The Earth's core is molten radioactive iron which creates a magnetic field. A new theory is that the "east" side of the core is more molten and the "west" crystalline, thus causing earthquakes in the "west". Interesting idea but its early days.

... and the sun rose 2 days early over the Greenland horizon (sped up planet? or just off its axis?). Jupiter lost one of its prominent stripes last year (WTF that's the biggest planet in the solar system), beetlegeuse is supposed to be imploding/exploding/supernovafying itself (not sure how long it will take for us to see/feel it's effects), animals are dropping from the skies and washing up on to the beaches, fireballs have been crashing to earth but not making the news (4 or 5 this year from what i've read)... and my fave, we're supposed to be having a visit from a planet potentially 40 times the size of Earth in the very near future (could prove very interesting, if it isn't being felt already, see above)... Wish I had a better telescope and coordinates to point at

Jupiter's southern dark band has disappeared before - 1973, and the explanation is high white clouds covering it for a while. We have no idea why.