Why does not the Moon fall to Earth? Detailed analysis

The article tells about why the Moon does not fall to Earth, the causes of its movement around the Earth and some other aspects of the celestial mechanics of our solar system.

The Beginning of the Space Age

The natural companion of our planet has always attracted attention. In ancient times, the moon was the subject of a cult of some religions, and with the invention of primitive telescopes, the first astronomers could not tear themselves away from the contemplation of the majestic craters.

A little later, with the discovery in other areas of astronomy, it became clear that such a heavenly satellite is not only on our planet, but also in a number of others. And Jupiter, their whole 67 pieces! But our leader is the largest in the whole system. But why does not the Moon fall to Earth? What is the reason for its movement along the same orbit? We will talk about this.

Celestial Mechanics

To begin with, you need to understand what is the motion in the orbit and why it happens. Consistent with the definition used by physicists and astronomers, the orbit is a motion in the gravitational field of an object that is much larger than the mass. For a long time it was believed that the orbits of planets and satellites had a circular shape as the most natural and perfect, but Kepler, after unsuccessful attempts to apply this theory to the movement of Mars, rejected it.

As is known from the course of physics, any two objects experience mutual forces of attraction, the so-called gravity. The same forces influence our planet and the Moon. But if they are attracted, then why does not the Moon fall to Earth, How would it be logical?

The thing is that the Earth does not stand still, but moves around the Sun along the ellipse, as if constantly "escaping" from its companion. And he, in turn, has an inertial speed, because of what travels on again elliptical orbit.

The simplest example, which can explain this phenomenon, is a ball on a rope. If you untwist it, the centrifugal force will keep the object in one or another plane, and if you slow down, it will not be enough and the ball will fall. The same forces affect the moon. Gravity of the Earth carries it along, not allowing to stand still, and the centrifugal force developed as a result of rotation, keeps, not allowing to approach on critical distance.

If the question of why the moon does not fall to Earth, give an even simpler explanation, then the reason for this - an equal interaction of forces. Our planet attracts the satellite, causing it to rotate, and the centrifugal force seems to be repulsive.

The sun

Similar laws act not only on our planet and satellite, they obey all other space objects. In general, gravity is a very interesting topic. The movement of planets around the center of mass is often compared with the clockwork, so accurate and well-adjusted. And most importantly, it is extremely difficult to break it. Even if several planets are removed from it, the others with very high probability will be rebuilt into new orbits, and collapse with a fall onto the central star will not occur.

But if our luminary has such colossal gravitational influence even on the most remote objects, then why does the Moon not fall on the Sun? Of course, the star is at a much farther distance than the Earth, but its mass, and hence gravity, is an order of magnitude higher.

The thing is that the celestial body and its companion also move in an orbit around the Sun, and the latter does not act individually on the Moon and Earth, but on their common center of mass. And on the Moon there is a double influence of gravitation, - stars and planets, and after him and the centrifugal force that balances them. Otherwise, all the satellites and other objects would have been burnt in the hot light long ago. This is the answer to the frequent question of why the moon does not fall.

Movement of the Sun

Another point worth mentioning is the fact that the Sun is also moving! And with it, and our entire system, although we are accustomed to believe that outer space is stable and unchanged, with the exception of the orbits of the planets.

If you look more globally, within the systems and their entire clusters, you can see that they are also moving along their trajectories. In this case, the Sun with its "satellites" revolves around the center of the Milky Way galaxy. If we conditionally present this picture from above, it looks like a spiral with a set of branches, which are called galactic sleeves. In one of these sleeves, along with millions of other stars, our sun is also moving.

A fall

But still, if you ask yourself such a question and dream up? What are the conditions under which the Moon will crash into the Earth or go on a trip to the Sun?

This can happen if the satellite ceases to rotate around the main object and the centrifugal force disappears, also if its orbit changes something and adds speed, for example, a collision with a meteorite.

Well, to the star it will go, if purposefully somehow to stop its movement around the Earth and give the initial acceleration to the luminary. But most likely, the Moon will simply gradually rise to a new twisted orbit.

Let's sum up: The moon does not fall to the Earth, because, in addition to the attraction of our planet, it is affected by the centrifugal force that repels it. As a result, these two phenomena counterbalance each other, the satellite does not fly away and does not crash into the planet.