Researchers have uncovered a surprising detail about the moon from 1.4 billion years ago and its effects on Earth.
You might already know the moon isn’t composed of cheese—sorry to disappoint Wallace and Gromit fans—and that people don’t transform into werewolves during a full moon—apologies to Taylor Lautner’s Twilight followers. Yet, one fascinating aspect about the moon that might be less known is that it’s gradually moving away from Earth.
This change is attributed to gravitational forces. Does that ring any bells from high school science classes?
Recent scientific investigations have revealed a weakening connection between Earth and the Moon. But what is causing this phenomenon?
We have learned that this gradual separation has resulted in Earth spinning at a slower rate, subsequently affecting time in a significant way.
In fact, research indicates that Earth’s days are becoming longer because the Moon is slowly retreating.
Scientists have suggested that, 1.4 billion years ago, a day on Earth was only about 18 hours long.
“As the Moon moves away, the Earth is like a spinning figure skater who slows down as they stretch their arms out,” explained Professor Stephen Meyers, a co-author of the research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“One of our goals was to use Astrochronology to tell time in the most distant past, to develop very ancient geological time scales,” he added. “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.”
Astrochronology is the practice of linking astronomical theories with geological data.
In 2022, Professor Meyers and his team examined Earth’s history and attempted to reconstruct what the solar system might have looked like in the past.
The team analyzed sediments from a rock formation that is around 90 million years old. This investigation is how they reportedly discovered Earth’s climate cycles.
Through their research, it has been established that the Moon is currently drifting away from Earth at a rate of 1.5 inches (3.81 centimeters) annually.
Researchers also concluded that, at one time, the Moon was so close to Earth that gravitational interactions would have torn apart the Moon.
Professor Alberto Malinverno, another co-author of the study, noted: “It was exciting because, in a way, you dream of this all the time; I was a solution looking for a problem.”
It is important to remember, however, that scientists are aware the Moon is 4.5 billion years old, which means their calculations could have some inaccuracies.
Nonetheless, it is clear that days on Earth are indeed becoming longer.