There's been a lot of press about the Earth's axis changing and the day
length changing. I'm fine with the day length changing as some crust is
subducted - figure skaters and all...
The axis, however: it can't change except due to an external torque,
yes? There's some nutation from the sun and moon, but as for this effect
(and the Chandler wobble) - am I right that it's a _relative_ change in
the axis (relative to the land, which is non-rigid and floating on
squishy Earth-innards), and not a change relative to the fixed stars?
Josh
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Joshua Gates
Physics Faculty
Tatnall School – Wilmington DE
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth