While it might seem inconsequential, the Moon drifting away from Earth has significant impacts. Contrary to the common belief that the Moon remains at a constant distance from Earth, recent scientific discoveries reveal an ever-weakening gravitational connection between the two celestial bodies.
Impact on Earth’s rotation and time
This gradual breakdown in the gravitational bond has made the Earth spin slower, thus lengthening our days. Scientists have found that days on Earth are getting longer because of this drift. For instance, 1.4 billion years ago, a day on Earth lasted 18 hours.
Scientific insights and methodology
Professor Stephen Meyers of the University of Wisconsin-Madison explains, “As the Moon moves away, the Earth is like a spinning figure skater who slows down as they stretch their arms out.” Meyers and his team used Astrochronology, which links astronomical theory with geological observation, to study ancient geological time scales.
Research findings and historical climate cycles
In 2022, Meyers and his team studied sediments from a 90-million-year-old rock formation to recreate the Earth’s ancient climate cycles. Their findings revealed that the Moon is receding from the Earth at a rate of 1.5 inches (3.81 centimeters) per year.
The study also suggests that there was a time when the Moon was so close to Earth that gravitational interactions could have torn it apart. Despite knowing the Moon is 4.5 billion years old, these calculations highlight the complexities and potential inaccuracies in determining the precise historical dynamics between the Earth and the Moon.
One thing is clear: the Moon’s drift is causing Earth’s days to lengthen, marking a significant shift in our planet’s rotation and time.