If there were no moon, Earth would be a drastically different place; most notably, each day would only last six to 12 hours. This change has numerous cascading effects on the planet.
Impact on Earth Without the Moon
Here's a breakdown of the key consequences:
Shorter Days and Faster Years
- Day Length: The absence of the moon's gravitational pull would mean Earth's rotation wouldn't slow down as it currently does. As the reference mentions, days would pass quickly, lasting only six to 12 hours.
- Increased Year Length: With shorter days, a year (the time it takes Earth to orbit the Sun) would consist of approximately a thousand days.
Disrupted Earth's Tilt
- The moon plays a vital role in stabilizing the Earth's axial tilt, preventing extreme variations. Without the moon, the angle of the Earth's tilt would be affected.
Implications Summary
| Feature | With Moon | Without Moon |
|---|---|---|
| Length of Day | Approximately 24 hours | 6-12 hours |
| Length of Year | Approximately 365 days | Approximately 1000+ days |
| Earth's Axial Tilt | Stable | Unstable |
