EARTH.COM - New simulations suggest Mars helps set a 2.4 million-year rhythm in Earth’s orbit that can steer the timing of ice-ages.
Scientists recently tested whether a small planet could leave a detectable trace in deep-time climate records.
Testing a planetary hunch
Computer runs allowed the experts to switch planets on and off, turning the solar system into a controlled test. The simulations were built at the University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside).
Stephen R. Kane, Ph.D., a professor of planetary astrophysics, started out doubtful and checked his own assumptions while modeling how planets tug each other.
“I knew Mars had some effect on Earth, but I assumed it was tiny,” said Kane.