If a comet kicks the moon out of its orbit and away from earth

In summary, a comet or other celestial object colliding with the moon and ejecting it from the Earth's orbit would not have an immediate effect on the Earth's rotational axis. However, it could potentially alter the Moon's orbit and lead to long-term effects on the Earth's precession. Additionally, if a foreign body were to graze the Moon and cause a gravitational assist, it could significantly change the Moon's orbit. Some speculate that this could also have an impact on the Earth's orbit and potentially cause it to move closer to the sun. However, this is still a topic of debate and further research is needed.
  • #1
redphoton
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0
If a comet kicks the moon, or any celestial object for that matter, out of its orbit and away from the earth, would it alter Earth's rotational axis?
 
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  • #2
The Earth's axis would become less stable without the moon, but I would think that the bigger problem would be debris from the collision. I mean, that would be an enormous collision. Even the largest comet discovered so far is less than 1/1000 that of the moon.
 
  • #3
redphoton said:
If a comet kicks the moon, or any celestial object for that matter, out of its orbit and away from the earth, would it alter Earth's rotational axis?

As DaleSpam points out, comets aren't large enough.

let's introduce a foreign body. Let's say a celestial body that was ejected from another solar system happens to fly right through our Solar system. Let's say that celestial body doesn't collide with the Moon, but just grazes it, resulting in a case of gravitational assist. (I'm guessing that a gravitational assist is the most efficient energy transfer. In a collision much of the energy would dissipate.)

I don't think such a gravitational assist can be vigorous enough to release the Moon from the Earth-Moon system, but it could alter the Moon's orbit significantly.

There would not be any immediate effect on the Earth's rotational axis. To change the direction of angular momentum of an object a torque must be exerted, and no such torque is present in this scenario

For a long term effect: the precession of the Earth's axis is due to gravitational interaction with the Sun and the Moon. If the Moon is lifted to a much higher orbit then the gravitaional interaction with the Moon will be weaker, resulting in an overall slower precession than the current precession.

Cleonis
 
  • #4
I feel Earth will start moving towards the sun. because the moon has the influence over the Earth gravity. when you say there is no moon it sure alters the sun and Earth attractive force also.
 

1. What would happen if a comet knocked the moon out of its orbit?

If a comet were to kick the moon out of its orbit and away from Earth, it would cause significant changes in the Earth's tides, weather patterns, and potentially its rotation. The moon plays a crucial role in stabilizing the Earth's axial tilt, so its absence could lead to extreme climate changes.

2. How likely is it that a comet could actually knock the moon out of its orbit?

The likelihood of a comet kicking the moon out of its orbit is extremely low. The moon has a massive gravitational pull, and even a large comet would not be able to overcome it. Additionally, the moon's orbit is relatively stable, and it would take a significant force to disrupt it.

3. Would the moon eventually return to its original orbit or would it continue moving away from Earth?

If a comet were to significantly alter the moon's orbit, it is possible that the moon could continue moving away from Earth. However, it is also possible that other celestial bodies, such as the sun or other planets, could influence the moon's orbit and eventually bring it back towards Earth.

4. How would the Earth be affected if the moon were no longer in orbit?

As mentioned before, the absence of the moon could lead to significant changes in the Earth's climate and tides. It could also affect the planet's rotation and potentially disrupt the Earth's magnetic field. Additionally, the moon plays a vital role in the ocean's currents, so its absence could have a ripple effect on the Earth's ecosystems.

5. Are there any historical records of a comet knocking the moon out of its orbit?

There are no historical records of a comet kicking the moon out of its orbit. However, there is evidence that suggests the moon has moved further away from Earth over time due to its gravitational interactions with other celestial bodies. This movement is known as lunar recession, and it occurs at a very slow rate of about 1.5 inches per year.

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