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Astronomy/Axis shift and Global Warming

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Expert: - 12/2/2008


Question
I've heard that the shifting of the Earth's axis can effect global climate.  Can this process work in the opposite direction?  In other words, could global warming effect the Earth's axis?  It seems like a warmer planet could result in an expansion of the planet, or perhaps lead to greater temperature extremes, and therefore greater expansions and contraction cycles for the water and land masses on the planet.  Could this potentially effect the earth's axis?

Answer
Hello,

This question (or rather one very similar to it) was actually answered some time ago. You can find the link here:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Astronomy-1360/2008/7/question-earth-axis-shift-1.htm

If you have further questions based on the answers I've provided therein, please send them on and we can go from there.  

Astronomy

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Philip Stahl

Expertise

I have forty years of experience in Astronomy, specifically solar and space physics. My specialties include the physics of solar flares, sunspots, including their effects on Earth and statistics as applied to astronomical investigations.

Experience

Astronomy: more than forty years experience starting with construction of my own simple telescopes. Worked at university observatory in college, doing astrographic measurements. M.Phil. degree in Physics/Solar Physics and more than ten years as researcher.

Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar Physics and Dynamical Astronomy divisions), American Mathematical Society, American Geophysical Union

Publications
Solar Physics (journal), The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, The Proceedings of the Meudon Solar Flare Workshop (1986), The Proceedings of the Caribbean Physics Conference (1985). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.

Education/Credentials
B.A. Astronomy, M. Phil. Physics

Awards and Honors
American Astronomical Society Studentship Award (1984), Barbados Government Award for Solar Research

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