The relationship between the Moon and the Earth is the longest love story in history, dating back to the beginnings of the solar system. However, it seems that the celestial body is experiencing changes that could be distancing it from our planet. Thanks to data obtained in the 1960s and 70s during NASA’s Apollo Missions, scientists have been able to determine that the Moon is moving away from the Earth at a rate of 3.8 centimeters each year.
This does not pose an immediate problem, but it will have implications in millions of years. Why is the Moon moving away? Scientists attribute this phenomenon to the tides: since the Earth’s rotation is greater than that of the Moon, the Earth is ‘pushing’ the Moon into a higher orbit. However, although the consequences of this phenomenon would be concerning, it is certain that they will never actually occur.
This is due to the fact that in about 5 billion years, the Sun will become a huge red star that will eventually swallow the Earth and the Moon. Until that moment arrives, there will be visible effects of the Moon’s distancing, such as the disappearance of total solar eclipses.
The Earth and the Moon
The relationship between the planet Earth and the Moon goes back to the origin of the solar system. Since then, it has been the satellite’s task to regulate and set the rhythm of the tides, to star in eclipses, and also to be the protagonist of one or another mythological story. However, it has been discovered that, little by little and in an almost imperceptible way, the Moon is moving further and further away from us, which could pose a threat.
The Moon is moving away from us
Thanks to the data obtained in the 1960s and 1970s during NASA’s Apollo Missions, it has been determined that, in fact, the Moon is moving away. It has been calculated that it is a distance of 3.8 cm each year, which although it may seem insignificant, it is not. The measurements are made by pointing lasers from Earth at reflectors located on the lunar surface.
The time it takes for that beam to return is what provides the figures to the researchers. The question arises that, if we go back in time, the Moon would have been so close to us that they would have almost collided. How is this possible? Scientists have been able to determine that it is due to the irregularity of this lunar retreat.
Why is the Moon moving away?
Researchers have explained that it is due to tides. It is known that gravitational attraction causes the oceans to bulge (raise sea level) when the planet is near the Moon. However, the Earth rotates faster than the Moon, which leads to a gravitational ‘pull’ that ultimately pushes the satellite into a higher orbit. It’s as if the Earth is pushing it away and the Moon is trying to come back closer.
What can provoke this phenomenon?
If this continues, we would reach a point where a day on Earth would last the same as a lunar month. However, there is no need to panic. First, because if it were to occur, it would be in millions of years, and second, because it is not going to happen. We cannot forget the role of the Sun in our solar system, and it also plays a part here. It is expected that in 5 billion years, the Sun will become a gigantic red star, which will eventually engulf the Earth and the Moon.
The only visible effects that this phenomenon could have will be the disappearance of total solar eclipses. Scientists also believe that this slow movement may have effects on the speed of Earth’s rotation, the stability of ecosystems, and climate change, all of which are long-term.
