Moon's drift could extend 1 Earth day to 25 hours
What's the story
A study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison has revealed that the Moon's gradual drift away from Earth could eventually extend a day on our planet to 25 hours. The research indicates that the Moon has been receding from Earth at a rate of around 3.8cm per year. This phenomenon is predicted to result in Earth days lasting an hour longer in about 200 million years. About 1.4 billion years ago, a day on Earth lasted just over 18 hours.
Cause identified
Gravitational interactions behind Moon's drift
The primary cause of this phenomenon is believed to be the gravitational interactions between Earth and the Moon. Stephen Meyers, a professor at the geoscience department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, explained this by comparing Earth to a spinning figure skater who slows down as they stretch their arms out. "As the mMon moves away, Earth behaves similarly," he said.
Research method
Astrochronology: A tool to study time
Meyers and his team have been using 'astrochronology' to study time in the distant past. "We want to be able to study rocks that are billions of years old in a way that is comparable to how we study modern geologic processes," Meyers stated. This approach allows scientists to delve deeper into the historical and geological context of the Moon's recession.
Historical analysis
Study reveals fluctuations in Moon's recession rate
The study also involved examining ancient geological formations and sediment layers to track the history of the Earth-Moon system over billions of years. The findings reveal that while the Moon's current rate of recession has been relatively stable, it has fluctuated over geological timescales due to various factors. These include Earth's rotational speed and continental drift, which have influenced the Moon's distance from our planet throughout history.