4 ms·

If we simply detonate the moon it would cease affecting the Earth's rotation, thus solving the problem.

• Mountain_Skies 4y ago
  You've created the plot for 'Space: 2099'. Don't let Hollywood steal your idea.
• Akronymus 4y ago
  Wouldn't work afaict. You'd have to get rid of the mass, not just explode it.
  • 4str0n0mer 4y ago
    If you would detonate the moon, break it up into small pieces and smear them out over its orbit, tidal friction would cease. Tidal friction is a major component of the earth's rotation's slowdown.
    • throw0101a 4y ago
      > If you would detonate the moon, break it up into small pieces […] Close to the plot of a recent Stephenson sci-fi novel: * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seveneves https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seveneves
      • mark-r 4y ago
        I hated the fact that you had to get 9/10 through the book to find out how it derived its name. The number 7 appears right at the start, but it's a misdirection.
        • macintux 4y ago
          I got about halfway through before I started skimming. Interminable.
  • JadeNB 4y ago
    > Wouldn't work afaict. You'd have to get rid of the mass, not just explode it. I'm sure kibwen had in mind a Hollywood explosion, whereby a detonated object ceases to exist, rather than turning into many smaller objects.
  • ARandomerDude 4y ago
    “Sir, are you suggesting that we blow up the moon?”
    • jsymolon 4y ago
      Nope, just explosive rapid deconstruction.
• masklinn 4y ago
  But wouldn't the rotational speed of the earth become more erratic?
  • kibwen 4y ago
    Indeed, but all life would be extinguished by the ensuing orbital bombardment, thus solving the problem.