Mumbai, August 2: Earth will soon have 25 hours in a day, all thanks to the Moon. But how soon? Well, in 200 million years. A recent study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has revealed that the Moon is gradually drifting away from Earth, a phenomenon with significant long-term implications. The team focused on rock formations aged 90 million years to uncover the historical context of this separation.

The study highlights that the Moon is receding from Earth at a rate of approximately 3.8 centimetres per year. This gradual separation will eventually result in Earth days lasting 25 hours in about 200 million years. The research also shows that 1.4 billion years ago, a day on Earth lasted just over 18 hours. Buck Moon 2024: From Cultural and Natural Significance to Celebrations, Everything To Know About July’s Full Moon.

Moon Drifting Away from Earth

This phenomenon is primarily attributed to the gravitational interactions between the Earth and the Moon, specifically the tidal forces exerted by both bodies. "As the Moon moves away, the Earth is like a spinning figure skater who slows down as they stretch their arms out," explained Stephen Meyers, a professor of geoscience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Moon Has Been on Its Course of Drifting Away From Earth

The Moon's recession is not a new discovery; it has been known for decades. However, the University of Wisconsin-Madison's study delves deeper into the historical and geological context of this phenomenon. By examining ancient geological formations and sediment layers, researchers have traced the history of the Earth-Moon system over billions of years. Their findings suggest that the Moon's current rate of recession is relatively stable but has fluctuated over geological timescales due to various factors, including the Earth's rotational speed and continental drift. Strawberry Moon 2024: Colour, Appearance and Cultural Significance – Interesting Things You Must Know About June Full Moon.

"One of our ambitions was to use astrochronology to tell time in the most distant past, to develop very ancient geological time scales. 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," Meyers added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 02, 2024 08:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).