Do we really need the moon?

NUTZZ

Very interesting documentary from the BBC that aired on February 1st. Space scientist and lunar fanatic Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock explores our intimate relationship with the Moon.

"Using computer graphics to summon up great tides and set the Earth spinning on its side, Maggie Aderin-Pocock implores us to look at the Moon afresh: to see it not as an inert rock, but as a key player in the story of our planet, past, present and future."

Check it out on the BBC iPlayer, here's a sneak peak!;

Dr. Baltar

"Not available in your area".

NUTZZ

Dr. Baltar wrote: »

"Not available in your area".

Oh I'm sure we can work something out for you!;) Clicky!

RobHill

Please correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding was that the moon is actually getting further away from us. This might not have such immediately dramatic effects but would still be a bit of a disaster.

Regardless I watched a film called The Moon and liked it. I think the moon should stay!

MRPRO03

Without the moon, we would not have seasons, we would not have tides and also the days would be longer. All that would make this place completely different and maybe uninhabitable.

Rubecula

RobHill wrote: »

Please correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding was that the moon is actually getting further away from us. This might not have such immediately dramatic effects but would still be a bit of a disaster.

Regardless I watched a film called The Moon and liked it. I think the moon should stay!

Yes the moon is slowly moving away from us, but don't be worried by the time it actually leaves us I doubt there will be people (well human beings anyway) still living here. Not sure on the figures but it is something like 1 centimetre per year, or even slower than that.

Bruthal

MRPRO03 wrote: »

Without the moon, we would not have seasons, we would not have tides and also the days would be longer. All that would make this place completely different and maybe uninhabitable.

I think the earth would still have seasons as they are caused by earths axis tilt as it goes around the sun. And it would still probably have tides although far smaller ones.

Rubecula

robbie7730 wrote: »

I think the earth would still have seasons as they are caused by earths axis tilt as it goes around the sun. And it would still probably have tides although far smaller ones.

Probably still have seasons but the climate would be totally different, the orbitting of the moon stops the earth from "wobbling" much more than it already does. A more severe wobble would mean climate conditions would become totally wild.

Bruthal

Rubecula wrote: »

Probably still have seasons but the climate would be totally different, the orbitting of the moon stops the earth from "wobbling" much more than it already does. A more severe wobble would mean climate conditions would become totally wild.

An axis wobble probably would be bigger. The earth actually occilates as the moon goes around it, as the moon does not just orbit the earth centre point, but the moon and earth both orbit the common gravitational point between them. That point is below the earths surface but not at its centre so the earth wobbles about this point.

Things could be very different if the moon was never there, it would of only taken a very small change to what happened in earths history to mean none of us are here now, so the moon not being there wold be a big change. But it would be hard to say for definite what would of happened. People could still be here but just not you and i as individuals, or maybe no people at all. Or no change at all.

Bruthal

RobHill wrote: »

Please correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding was that the moon is actually getting further away from us. This might not have such immediately dramatic effects but would still be a bit of a disaster.

Regardless I watched a film called The Moon and liked it. I think the moon should stay!

First noticeable thing will be no more total eclipse`s anyway:D

limklad

MRPRO03 wrote: »

Without the moon, we would not have seasons, we would not have tides and also the days would be longer. All that would make this place completely different and maybe uninhabitable.

It is my understanding that the Moon is actually slowing the Earth Rotation over time by 2.2 seconds every 100,000 year as well as the Earth stalled the Moon rotation to constantly face the earth.

As for the Tides the Sun will still have influence as per spring tides happens with the Moon and sun are aligned with earth in a straight line. Without the moon there will still be tides but not at current strengths due to the sun.

Without the moon I expect the earth to gradually change axis but still have seasons unless one pole constantly faces the sun or is perfectly 90 degrees to the sun.