I read that space continues to expand. And I've heard that the moon is becoming farther away from earth.
2007-05-02 07:42:43 · 9 answers · asked by chuckiesgrl 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Recently it has been proven that the universe is in a constant state of expansion. The moon drifting away has nothing to do with this though. Think of yourself with a ball tied to a string and swinging it around in a circle. You would feel a pulling force outwards. This is the effect of the moon orbiting the earth. The centripetal force of the moons orbit has a greater force moving outwards than the gravitational force inwards.
So slowly but surely the moon IS drifting away.
2007-05-09 06:12:47 · answer #1 · answered by ucancallmejay02 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an excellent question. You're linking concepts that ought to be juxtaposed and considered in a new light.
Having said that, Gene and Walking are right. Lunar recession is due to tidal friction. Earth's oceans lap up against its shores, acting as a gravitational brake. The moon thus recedes roughly 3.8 cm per year.
The expansion of space appears to be intergalactic. Space between vast streamers of galaxies is expanding, but the space between individual stars and planets within a galaxy is not. In this respect the expansion of space is not uniform.
2007-05-02 08:01:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You're right...universal space is expanding, but it's noticeable on very large scales, like several million light years.
The moon is slowly drifting away from Earth because the tides it causes on our planet are about 10-degrees ahead of the moon's orbit around Earth. This lead represents a very slight tug on the moon in the direction of its motion. That in turn causes the moon to move just a little faster in its orbit which moves it away from us.
2007-05-02 07:57:39 · answer #3 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
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2016-12-10 17:29:35 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, the Moon is drifting away becuase the tidal forces between it at Earth are affecting it's orbit.
Don't worry, it will still be around for a long time. . .
2007-05-02 07:47:52 · answer #5 · answered by Walking Man 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No it's because of the energy transfers between the earth and the moon because of the tides
2007-05-02 07:46:43 · answer #6 · answered by Gene 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There is speculation that space used to expand, and is no longer doing so. As we look out, we see galaxies rushing apart. But remember, this happened billions of years ago.
The moon's drifting is caused by an imperfect orbit. Someday it will fly off or crash into the planet, more likely he former.
2007-05-02 07:51:05 · answer #7 · answered by Evil Genius 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
No, it has more to do with Centrifugal force, and the slowing of the Earth's rotational speed.
2007-05-06 13:37:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it is because of earths gravitational system fading due to the rotation of the earth on its axis.
2007-05-02 07:54:01 · answer #9 · answered by marcherry24 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋