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About Tom Whiting
Expertise
I can answer most questions involving general science and engineering, except those involving electronics and computers. My strong points are all the Earth Sciences, especially Meteorology and Astronomy, and any related subjects to Astronomy. My weak point is Electronics Technology. No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO identifications.

Experience
My hobby has been Astronomy for over 50 years. I currently ownand use a 30 inch portable telescope. I taught at the University Level for 13 years. My personal interest in life, in general, has always been science oriented.

Organizations
President - Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.Member of allexperts.com astronomy catagory for over 8 years.

Publications
Astronomy Technology TodayErie Times Newspaper - I wrote the "Over Erie Skies" columnfor 11 years.

Education/Credentials
BS Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PAAlso retired USAF pilot, 20 years.

Awards and Honors
I was the discoverer of the Mini-Coathanger Asterism up in Ursa Minor. I earned 6 Air Medals with USAF and retired after 20 years of service with the rank of Major, with over 2100 hours flying time.I also earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1956.

You are here: Experts > Science > Urban Legends and Folklore > Popular Science > Planetary elongation, declination and effects on earth's orbit

Popular Science - Planetary elongation, declination and effects on earth's orbit

Expert: Tom Whiting - 10/22/2009

Question
Do other planets' elongation/declination conjunctions to each other cause any changes to or affect other planet's spin/velocity or orbits when they occur? particularly Earth's?

Answer
Hi Amir,
Over millions and billions of years, Yes, there can be slow, very minor changes,
barely measureable.

But over our day to day lives, and in thousands of years (very short time frame), No.
We can show that with the Earth, in particular, using dates, times, and locations
of total solar eclipses. Any minor change in anything like tilt, spin rate, revolution rate, etc.
would change the paths and times of total solar eclipses across the Earth, which are predictable for hundreds (maybe even thousands) of years in the past and future. And yet all are accurate to plus or minus one second and one tenth of a mile when they occur. Any minor change in either our orbit, rotation rate, or tilt...would drastically change all those numbers. But they don't change. Therefore, we are in a very stable situation. It would take a huge force to change a
spinning gyroscope of the Earth's mass....like a 100 mile wide meteor impact. And that only
happens every couple of billion years. So don't lose any sleep over it.
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA USA

FOLLOW UP:
Also, our GPS system, which is accurate to 2 meters, would change drastically. Also, sunset,
sunrise, and location of sunrise on the horizon...would change drastically. And none of that
stuff varies from actual prediction...if you need more proof. In addition, our atomic clocks
would show a change (relative to the Earth's rotation), as they are accurate to something like one billionth of a second, or better.
Tom

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