What would happen if planets replaced our moon?

An incredible video shows what we would see if the planets replaced the moon. But that would turn Earth into a volcanic hellscape. If Jupiter were as close to Earth as the moon, our planet would become one of the gas giant’s moons. Its gravity would also bring volcanic destruction to Earth.

What if Mercury replaced our moon?

Mercury would look exactly like our Moon with its dark gray surface and asteroid craters. And it’s only 1.5 times the size, so its impact on our tidal systems and climate wouldn’t be disastrous. And because Mars would create stronger tidal forces, Earth’s rotation would slow down. The days on Earth would become longer.

What if the moon didn’t exist?

It is the pull of the Moon’s gravity on the Earth that holds our planet in place. Without the Moon stabilising our tilt, it is possible that the Earth’s tilt could vary wildly. It would move from no tilt (which means no seasons) to a large tilt (which means extreme weather and even ice ages).

What if Earth and Mars switched places?

Thus, if we were magically able to instantly switch the places of Earth and Mars, the results would be catastrophic due to their differing masses. On the flip side, Earth would receive half as much sunlight, and thus the planet would freeze over.

Why does the size of the Moon change every month?

The moon’s distance from Earth varies slightly over the course of a single month. So the moon’s apparent size in our sky is always changing. For part of every month, the moon is in a far part of its orbit from Earth. At such times it isn’t big enough to cover the sun completely.

What would happen if the Moon and earth were the same?

The moon will have the same phase and be at the same node and the same distance from Earth. Earth will be nearly the same distance from the sun, and tilted to it in nearly the same orientation.

What happens when the Earth Moon and Sun align?

When the Earth, Moon and Sun Align. One saros period after an eclipse, the sun, moon and Earth return to approximately the same relative geometry, a near straight line, and a nearly identical eclipse will occur. The moon will have the same phase and be at the same node and the same distance from Earth.

Why do the Sun and Moon appear the same size in Sky?

The sun and moon appear the same size in Earth’s sky because the sun’s diameter is about 400 times greater – but the sun is also about 400 times farther away. Learn more on EarthSky.