What Happens If The Moon Comes Towards Us?

The Moon, which has always managed to fascinate those who are interested in space, from the infancy of astronomy to the present, illuminates the nights of our world, and contributes to our day’s duration 24 hours with its gravitational effect. At the same time, our satellite, which controls the tides in a way, contributes to the continuity of life on Earth with many such features.

Well, what would happen if the Moon, which has contributed to the world order for billions of years with all its benefits, started to come towards us one day? Let’s say from the beginning, a huge pile of rocks will not fall on us as it is told in movies with apocalyptic scenarios. Rather, its effects will be so bad when it comes upon us that you will say “I wish it would end”.

First of all, we need to get rid of the issue: Why is it considered impossible for the Moon to come to Earth?

According to the explanations of the leading names in the field of astronomy, we can compare the Moon to a small ball by using the terms orbit and velocity. Under normal conditions, when we throw a tennis ball, it follows a trajectory, but eventually falls to the ground under the influence of the air.

But if launched fast enough, in theory, this ball could return to you along its trajectory. However, as we said, because of the slowing effect of air, no matter how fast you throw your ball, it will eventually fall. If there were no air, it would remain in orbit forever as it would not slow down.

The moon also spins rapidly around our world like a ball launched into orbit. However, since there is no slowing factor such as air in space, it can stay in its orbit by maintaining this speed. Since it is not possible for it to slow down out of nowhere, we can say that it is not possible for the Moon to come to us under normal conditions.

Let’s assume that it has arrived anyway: This movement of the Moon will not be noticed at first and it will take exactly 1 year to reach our world:

Prof. This information, which is based on Matt Caplan’s simulation of ‘how the position of the Moon will change as it approaches the Earth’, also touches on the disasters that will take place within 12 months. Let’s see together what will change from the first few weeks to the 12th month and what will happen when it all comes to an end.

There is no difference in the first days, the Moon is just a little brighter than usual

In addition to the brightness of the Moon, the tides also draw attention. This event, which is caused by the moon’s own gravity, is felt differently in different coastal regions of the world with each passing day. The size of the waves is increasing day by day and this situation seen in the coastal areas does not bode well.

In this context, wavelengths will reach 4 meters in 1 month. Worse still, these rising waves will not go back. On the contrary, it will be rising day by day. But we haven’t even come close to the collision(!) part yet.

We are only in the second month, but everyone has already started to panic:

People living in coastal areas had to go inland due to the sea level reaching 10 meters. But this is not a way of salvation. Because water resources such as rivers and streams were both polluted and overflowed by rising sea levels. This indicates that no one is safe in the interior, and that the floods will reach the cities after a while.

You don’t have to worry about gas prices anymore, because even if you can find gas in a gas shortage, the roads are not conducive to driving:

Different facilities are now idle due to floods. Oil refineries, base stations and other facilities on the ground are now unusable due to sea water. This means that there will be problems in the internet, in meeting basic needs and in many other areas.

It is possible to encounter vandals in cities. If you are still alive, you are most likely on the roofs of buildings.

What we will experience from the third month to the fifth month: Let’s say goodbye to the Internet, which will be the least of our problems

• Internet cables under water

As we enter our third moon, the Moon will distort the path of our orbiting satellites. This situation, which has arisen due to its own gravity, will eliminate communication. Of course, the effect of the tide we just mentioned continues to grow over time.

The sea level, which reached 10 meters in the second month, will reach 100 meters in a few weeks following the fourth month. This will increase further towards the fifth month and our buildings will now be submerged under ocean waters.

Now that the show of the oceans is over, let’s take the earthquakes to the track:

“The moon is coming on us, what’s the deal with the earthquake?” you might think. However, this is due to the gravitational pull of the Moon. Cracks occur in the ground of our planet, which is compressed by the effect of gravity, and these cracks do not only create large-scale earthquakes.

Due to this compression situation, we are now seeing volcanic eruptions with great impact.

We are only halfway through the year and now we have a satellite that seems to be stationary

Now the Moon is so close to Earth It can tour in 24 hours. Since our planet spends the same amount of time revolving around itself, we now have a Moon that is only visible to half the Earth. For this reason, while the oceans have taken over the cities on the side of the Earth facing the Moon, the waters will have receded on the other side.

We came to the part where the action really started: Our satellite, which is accelerating as we get closer, changes shape

Since the gravitational force of the Earth is greater than that of the Moon, the part of the Moon facing our planet, More gravitational force is applied than the other side. This means that the Moon will take on a more egg-like shape over a period of time.

Just as our Earth was left alone with earthquakes due to the gravity of the Moon, the Moon suffers the same fate while changing shape.

In addition, we said that the Moon now orbits our planet in 24 hours. From the eighth month, this speed will increase even more and cause volcanic eruptions with higher scale earthquakes. The fumes emanating from here will also allow a very small amount of sunlight to reach our planet.

This means that we will almost freeze:

Strong acid rains will be at the door as the sunlight decreases and the smoke envelops the sky. This means that the plants will be wiped out.

Sorry to disappoint, but the Moon will not hit the Earth. But on the bright side, we now have rings like Saturn

Our Earth has a ‘Roche Limit’ like other planets. We can roughly define this as the closest distance that a celestial body can approach a larger celestial body without breaking apart.

In other words, when the Moon reaches this limit, the Earth’s gravity will be stronger than its own gravity, and after a while, the Moon will break into pieces since gravity cannot hold the Moon’s parts. As a result, these pieces will go into orbit and we will have rings, just like on Saturn.

Unfortunately, by this point, billions of people will have lost their lives. Afterwards, we cannot know whether civilization will be resurrected or not. But if you’re wondering what a ringed Earth would look like and what life would be like on it, you can take a look at our content on this topic.

Sources: Kurzgesagt, Quora, Space.com