Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: DavidLSpud

I believe that that might be the reason for it’s being “tidally locked” with the earth (same face to the earth at all times).


20 posted on 12/15/2014 6:28:02 AM PST by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter admits whom he's working for)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies ]


To: MrB

The moon’s rotation rate is 1:1 with its orbit around the Earth, thus showing the same face. This is a consequence of the tidal transfer of momentum from Moon to Earth, iow the rotational energy was depleted by pushing against the Earth; the Earth does the same thing to the Moon, but being 100 times as massive, the Earth’s axial rotation has merely slowed down some. If there’s enough energy left, the tidal transfer from Earth to Moon will push the satellite to the point where it slips into an escape trajectory.

That’ll be one bad crazy day.

The other possibility (and I don’t know the math) is that the Earth will continue to push the Moon and slow down to the point that it also reaches a 1:1 resonance.


32 posted on 12/15/2014 7:57:21 AM PST by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/ _____________________ Celebrate the Polls, Ignore the Trolls)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson