Have you ever wondered what would happen if the moon suddenly started falling towards Earth? It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, but let’s explore what might happen if this wild idea came true!
If the moon began to fall towards Earth, it would take about a year to reach us. At first, we would notice the moon looking bigger and brighter in the sky. But something else would start happening too: the ocean tides would begin to rise higher than usual.
In the first month, as the moon got closer, tides could rise up to 4 meters high, causing flooding in places near the coast. As months passed, the tides could grow even more, reaching up to 100 meters! This would flood cities and damage important things like roads and bridges.
As the moon came closer, its strong gravity would pull on Earth’s surface, causing big earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. These natural disasters would make things even more difficult for everyone.
After about six months, the moon would reach a special spot called geosynchronous orbit, where it would seem to pause for a bit. Some of the floodwaters might go down, but the moon’s gravity would still be strong. The side of the moon facing Earth would start to bulge, causing moon quakes, which are like earthquakes on the moon!
As time went on, the moon would start moving around Earth faster than it spins. This might make the tides a little lower, but it would also cause more earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The ash and dust from these eruptions would block sunlight, making Earth dark and cold.
Without sunlight, and with poisonous gases from volcanoes, temperatures would drop, and acid rain would fall. This would harm plants and animals, making it hard for humans to survive.
After a year of chaos, the moon would reach a point called the Roche limit, where Earth’s gravity would be too strong for the moon to stay together. The moon would break into pieces, forming a ring of debris around Earth, like Saturn’s rings. But instead of being pretty, these pieces would crash down on Earth like asteroids, causing even more destruction.
Luckily, this scary scenario is just pretend. The moon is actually moving away from Earth at about $4$ centimeters each year, so it’s not going to fall on us. The moon’s distance from Earth changes a little because of its path, but it’s not in danger of crashing into us.
So, while thinking about the moon falling to Earth is interesting, it’s not something we need to worry about. Let’s just enjoy looking at the moon from a safe distance!
Moon and Tides Experiment: Gather a large bowl of water and a small ball to represent the moon. Place the ball near the bowl and observe how the water behaves. Now, slowly move the ball closer to the bowl and watch how the water starts to move. Discuss with your friends or family how this experiment shows the effect of the moon’s gravity on Earth’s tides. Can you think of other ways the moon affects Earth?
Create a Moon Journal: Over the next month, keep a journal of the moon’s appearance each night. Draw what you see and note any changes in its size or brightness. Discuss with your classmates or family how the moon’s position in the sky changes over time. Why do you think these changes happen?
Imagine and Draw: Imagine what Earth would look like if the moon really did fall towards us. Draw a picture of how the sky, the ocean, and the land might change. Share your drawing with your class and explain your ideas. What do you think would be the most surprising change?
