"Millions of Years Ago, Passing Stars Altered Earth's Orbit"

A new study suggests that a passing star may have altered Earth's orbit 2.8 million years ago, leading to significant climate changes. The research, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, indicates that such events can have a profound impact on the long-term orbital evolution of planets, including Earth. The study's simulations predict that a Sun-like star passing by the Solar System could have influenced Earth's orbital eccentricity, potentially causing fluctuations in the planet's climate.