<p>I assume that the Earth could be “gently” (without colossal tidal or volcanic catastrophe) displaced by a passing extra solar star, brown dwarf or planet and end up perhaps 10% further away from the Sun?</p>
<p>If so how quickly could this be achieved?</p>
<p>I suppose it would depend on the details, but roughly what combination of distance of approach and mass of object would be best to use for use in a realistic fictional setting? incidentally I assume the orbits of outer planets might well be much more badly affected.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-27T18:42:04.343Z
Are you asking if the earth can be moved to another orbit without destroying life as we know it?
Raffles
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-27T23:58:53.067Z
I'm fairly certain that it could, although I stand to be corrected. I'm really asking how quickly this could be achieved without destroying life as we know it.
Slarty
<orbit><gravity><orbital-elements><celestial-mechanics><tidal-forces>
The possibility of rapidly changing the Earths orbit via a passing astronomical object
Slarty
# The possibility of rapidly changing the Earths orbit via a passing astronomical object

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-10-25)

I assume that the Earth could be “gently” (without colossal tidal or volcanic catastrophe) displaced by a passing extra solar star, brown dwarf or planet and end up perhaps 10% further away from the Sun?

If so how quickly could this be achieved?

I suppose it would depend on the details, but roughly what combination of distance of approach and mass of object would be best to use for use in a realistic fictional setting? incidentally I assume the orbits of outer planets might well be much more badly affected.

**Tags:** orbit, gravity, orbital-elements, celestial-mechanics, tidal-forces

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Are you asking if the earth can be moved to another orbit without destroying life as we know it?  
> **username_0**: I'm fairly certain that it could, although I stand to be corrected. I'm really asking how quickly this could be achieved without destroying life as we know it.  

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## 0 answers

