Do we need the moon?

Question

what would happen if we had no moon and why do we only have one when other planets have more than one.

Answer 1

I swear I answer this question 4 or 5 times a week.

1) Even without the moon we would still get tides. The tides are caused by both the sun and the moon equally. Solar tides would only be half as high as normal tides, and they would occur with a regular 12 hour rhythm rather than the monthly rhythm we get now.

2) It would be almost impossible for complex life to survive without the moon. The moon locks the Earth into a stable position WRT the sun. As a result the equator always faces a the sun and the poles have always been perpendicular. Planets that lack large moons wobble, and at times the poles face the sun and the equator rotates perpendicular to the sun. At those times the temperature and light extremes would exterminate all complex life forms.

We don't know how long the Earth would remain in a perpendicular orientation without the moon, but some time within the next half million years it would tip. When it did all surface life would die. Life would still be possible but every time the axis moved too far from perpendicular it would have to start afresh from deep sea bacteria.

3) We have only one moon, and a very large moon, because it resulted from a collision AFTER the Earth had solidified. That collision tore off a huge chunk of the Earth and hurled it into orbit. In contrast the moons of other planets are either comets that have become trapped in orbit or were formed from the solar gas cloud BEFORE the planet itself formed.

The Earth's moon is unique in our solar system and is in no small part responsible for our evolution and continued existence.

Answer 2

Absolutely. The gravitational pull of the moon creates tides but more importantly it causes the earth to wobble as it spins on it's axis. This is why we have seasons which makes it possible to grow vegetation for food and shelter. Have you noticed the other solid planets in our solar system have no moons but the gaseous planets have several. Many scientists believe the earth was struck by another smaller planet billions of years ago which broke off a large piece forming the moon. Studying of the rocks brought back from the moon indicate they originated from earth. Life on earth without the moon would be very different if at all possible.

Answer 3

The Moon And its importance

The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. It has no formal name other than "The Moon", although in English it is occasionally called Luna (Latin for moon), or Selene (Greek for moon), to distinguish it from the generic "moon" (natural satellites of other planets are also called moons). Its symbol is a crescent. The terms lunar, selene/seleno-, and -cynthion (from the Lunar deities Selene and Cynthia) refer to the Moon (aposelene, selenocentric, pericynthion, etc.).

Tidal effects


The tides on Earth are mostly generated by the Moon's gravitation, with a less significant contribution by the Sun. These gravitational effects are specifically manifested as tidal forces. The combination of the two is responsible for spring and neap tides. Two tidal bulges, one in the direction of the Moon, and one in the opposite direction (figure 1) form as a result of the tidal forces. The buildup of these bulges and their movement around the earth causes an energy loss due to friction. The energy loss decreases the rotational energy of the Earth.

Since the Earth spins faster than the Moon moves around it, the tidal bulges are dragged along with the Earth's surface faster than the Moon moves, and move "in front of the Moon" (figure 2). Because of this, the Earth's gravitational pull on the Moon has a component in the Moon's "forward" direction with respect to its orbit. This component of the gravitational forces between the two bodies acts like a torque on the Earth's rotation, and transfers angular momentum and rotational energy from the Earth's spin to the Moon's orbital movement.

Answer 4

We would lose alot of gravitational pull that harmonizes and balances the seasons. It pulls the seas back and forth, creating a whole matrix of necessary effects. Between the mating behaviors of animals and the shifting of the food chain during the tides, and the effect it has on our weather, I would say the world would be thrown into chaos without the moon. It also provides a balance against the pull of the Sun as well. I think we need it.

Answer 5

Your question is "Do we need the moon" not "Did we need the moon". The later question is much more difficult to answer as it involves some speculative evolution theory whereby the tides were integral in the movement of life from the sea to the land as well as the effect of nocturnal illumination on societal development in the earliest times.

But, to answer your specific question, no; the sudden disappearance of the moon would only minimally alter our world. We would easily adapt to the loss of tides, though other species would not!

Answer 6

Yes, we need the Moon, if only for its beauty. As I drove in to work this morning it was clearly visible and very large against a clear blue sky, not a sight you see every day but very striking. I have seen the moon rise over Bournemouth while on the beach and it was stunning. I could go on but you get my drift.

Answer 7

Moon rocks!!! I don't know what life would be without the the moon... the moon is so beautifull... how could you even think of the moon not being on Earth! That is horrible!

Answer 8

there are many scientific movies about this .. once i watched one its name was "what if we have no moon?" ,, it was a great movie .. it tells how much our moon is important to us , the whole life couldn't be exist without the moon because it plays an important role in keeping the earth in equilibrium .. i don't remember every thing in movie .. sorry .. may be you can watch a movie ..

Answer 9

no moon no waves no new births of wild animals. as i have read the moon was creared as the universe was made. our moon it a small part of earth which is where our oceans are today

Answer 10

Without the moon there would be no tides. Gravity would crush us, because it lessens the effect of earths gravity. need I go on?