Is the Rate at Which the Moon is Moving Away from the Earth Consistent with its Age?

-- clayton | April 4, 2024

Question:

If the moon seperates from the earth at a constant 1.5 ” per year. How could it be billions of years old. At that rate the moon would be way away from the earth. The math figures to about 6000 yrs.

-- clayton

Answer:

Yes. The Moon was formed during a giant impact about 60-175 million years after the solar system was born. Calculations suggest that when the Moon formed it was about 14000 miles, or about 22500 km, from Earth (or about 17 times closer than it is today), and that the rate that the Earth and Moon have been separating was faster in the past.

-- Jeff Mangum

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