this post was submitted on 29 Apr 2024
52 points (94.8% liked)

Showerthoughts

29728 readers
1199 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

  1. All posts must be showerthoughts
  2. The entire showerthought must be in the title
  3. Avoid politics
    1. NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
    2. Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
    3. Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
  4. Posts must be original/unique
  5. Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct-----

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
vatlark@lemmy.world
forkball@lemmy.world
quinten@lemmy.world
Thekingoflorda@lemmy.world
52
If we took material like rock from space and got it back to Earth enough times, would Earth grow as a planet? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by ljubashin@sh.itjust.works to c/showerthoughts@lemmy.world
42 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

As the title says. I'm actually thinking about this hard with my friends because everything that's produced on Earth stays on Earth so it doesn't change size, but what if it's not from Earth but it stays on Earth?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] xoggy@programming.dev 4 points 6 months ago

One of the proposed methods for terraforming Mars is to lob a bunch of icy rocks at it. That would increase its mass but more significantly also the energy of the falling rocks would convert to heat and melt the ice into water. So enough energy to increase Earth's size would also heat the surface and kill life.