Warp wrote:
>   The Sun asserts a certain gravitational influence on the Earth-Moon system.
> That doesn't affect how the Earth and the Moon influence each other.

If the moon drifts far enough from the earth, the gravity from the sun will 
be stronger than the gravity of the earth, so something strange is likely to 
happen.

>   If we measure the absolute strength of gravity caused by the Sun, it
> might be stronger than the strength of gravity between the Earth and the
> Moon, but Sun's gravity is the same for both the Earth and the Moon.
> Basically Sun's gravity "sees" the Earth-Moon system as one object.

Hmmm. Maybe.

>> I think we have a ways to go before the earth is locked with the moon. :-)
>   Just a blink, when we are dealing with astronomical times...

True, but not really a blink when you're dealing with the timespans of 
intelligent life on Earth.  I've already forgotten what we started out 
talking about, tho, so I'm gonna go get more coffee. :-)

-- 
   Darren New, San Diego CA, USA (PST)
   I ordered stamps from Zazzle that read "Place Stamp Here".

Post a reply to this message