The Moon Slowly Drifts Farther From Earth Over Time — Could It Ever Break Away Completely? Here’s What Scientists Think

Did you know that the moon has already started drifting farther away from Earth? It is moving at a rate of 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) every year. This measurement may sound insignificant, but if you understand just how important the moon is to us, no amount of it getting away from Earth is trivial.

The moon is vital for the survival of life forms on our planet, including human civilization. Without the moon, Earth’s gravitational axial tilt will be unstable, and the climate will be almost unpredictable. It also creates ocean tides that are important for marine life, such as phytoplankton, which are responsible for producing the most significant amount of our oxygen.

So, this begs the question: Will the moon ever break away from Earth completely, and what would happen if it does?

How Do Scientists Know the Moon Is Drifting?

When the Apollo missions were launched, they left special reflectors on the surface of the moon. This equipment allows our scientists and astronauts to point a laser at and measure the distance between the Earth and the Moon based on how long the round-trip of the beam takes.

NASA confirms that the Moon is getting farther away from Earth at the rate of 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) every year. If you are wondering, this is a method that is incredibly precise due to lasers having a constant speed, which is the speed of light, for almost the entirety of their journey by being in the vacuum of space. The timing might be slow, but it is true that the moon is drifting farther away.

Read more: NASA

Why Is the Moon Moving Away?

Why is the Moon Moving Further Away?

The main reason why the Moon is getting farther away from Earth is natural, and it is called the tidal forces. The Moon’s gravitational pull affects the Earth’s oceans, creating tidal waves. However, as the Earth rotates, these tides could get ahead and tug on the Moon, subtly accelerating it in its orbit.

Despite being minuscule, this force could push the moon into a slightly higher and wider orbit than normal. Over time, this creates the 3.8 centimeters difference. However, at the same time, this effect slows down the Earth’s spin a little and can make our days longer by a few microseconds.

Could the Moon Ever Break Away Completely?

Based on the calculations of our Scientists, even though the Moon is drifting away from Earth at a slow but steady pace, it will stop billions of years later, before it truly gets away from our planet’s gravitational pull. In short, the answer is no, it will not break away completely.

However, it is important to note that our Sun’s lifespan is only about  5 to 7 billion years before it turns into a Red Giant that will engulf both the Earth and the Moon helplessly. So, to add more, the Moon will not escape us, and the story of the two cosmic objects will most likely be put to an end by the Sun itself.

Read more: Live Science

What Happens to Earth Because the Moon Moves Away?

Will the Moon Ever Leave the Earth's Orbit?

The Moon is not leaving us any time soon, even if it is slightly distancing itself from us. However, let’s entertain the thought of what would happen if it ever does. The aspect of our planet that will be affected the most is the ocean tides. As the moon gets farther away, the less extreme our ocean’s high and low tides will be.

The tides are one of the most important drivers of ocean currents, which is significant for mixing and circulation of heat from the equator. Although the Wind and the differences in temperature are the primary factors, weaker tides, over geological time, still could mean that these natural climate stabilizers will potentially create new climate patterns or even unpredictable ones.

The moon also directly influences our global climate by helping keep Earth’s axial tilt and wobble steady. As the Moon gets farther away, the Earth would sway more, which could pose a dramatic problem for all the lifeforms on the planet, as most have evolved to adapt to Earth’s relatively stable climate. This is because if the Earth’s axial tilt fluctuates wildly, the planet’s temperature would swing extremely and unpredictably.

Author's Final Thoughts

So, to answer the original question, no, the Moon will not break away completely from Earth. However, it is true that Luna is moving away from us for the time being. But, someday it would stop; rather, it will most probably be the Sun that will end the story of the two celestial bodies.

Read next: How Do We Know the Moon Landings Weren’t Faked? — Here’s the Undeniable Evidence That Proves They Happened