The masses of the moon and sun are what cause tides; although the moon is
smaller, it's closer to the earth and therefore has a greater effect on the
oceans. When the sun and moon are on the same side of the earth, more or
less in line,
they exert maximum gravitational pull on the water nearest to them. When the
moon is on the side of the earth directly opposite the sun, their forces
lessen each other. At least, I think that's it. I gave away my copy of
'Understanding Science' last year!
Christine Buckley
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rich Pederick" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2001 1:14 PM
Subject: Re: moon on the waters
>
> Going back to the original question, at the lunar eclipse
> the earth simply blocks the light of the sun from the moon.
> The earth is no more or less distant from either
> celestial object at this time. But i wonder if the fact
> that the sun, earth and moon are in alignment with the
> earth in the middle (i.e. the two gravitational influences
> influencing the tides are pulling on opposite sides of the
> earth) has any influence on the tides. Hopefully somebody
> can help nail this one.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rich
>
> ----------------------
> Rich Pederick
> [log in to unmask]
> ----------------------
> Living Spring Journal - THE International Electronic
> Forum for Research into Holy Wells & Waterlore
> http://www.bath.ac.uk/lispring/journal/front.htm
>
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