# Moonbase Alpha Aftermath- What happens after the moon is torn from orbit? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 24, 2023, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092 "2023-04-24T00:27:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/1 "2023-04-24T00:27:52Z")
_Space: 1999_ was an entertaining show based on the idea that a ginormous explosion has ripped the moon from Earth’s orbit and sent inhabitants of the moon on an incredible voyage. But what would actually happen to Earth’s environment, both short and long term, afterwards? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/2 "2023-04-24T01:09:39Z")
Top of head: In a span of a month or so tides would moderate a bunch, with the greatest tides at any/every coastal spot on Earth being maybe 2/3rds of what they had been, but also with the variability from large to small tides at any/every location settling down to be just medium all the time. How that affects the local bio-/ecology situation will vary vastly from place to place and is beyond my ken. At a minimum the flora and fauna who live near the highest-of-high-tides lines will be trapped high and dry for good. That probably is unhealthy / fatal for them. There are some animals that care a lot about moonlight cycles. Some need the bright full moon, other need the absent new Moon. They’re going to need to adapt or die. Even the ones that need no moon probably identify that condition as being 14 days pre- or post- the full moon. When suddenly there’s no full moon to sync the clocks of all those individuals, will they have a population crash when all the horny males and horny females show up on different nights, never achieving the critical mass it takes to find each other in the briny vastness? Oops. Extremely long term the Earth won’t be exchanging rotational momentum with the Moon. And so the Earth’s rotation will slow less than it would if the Moon remained in place. The difference will be practically negligible for millions of years; obvious to astronomers and nobody else. But it will give the very far future different outcomes in unpredictable (to me) ways. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/3 "2023-04-24T01:18:12Z")
The Earth’s axis will destabilize, tho more on the order of thousands of years. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/4 "2023-04-24T01:26:00Z")
I think an explosion big enough to accelerate the Moon out of its orbit would itself be pretty devastating to Earth. On the other hand, a certain amount of ignoring of physical law is necessary, since an explosion of that magnitude would probably not leave the Moon in one piece. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/5 "2023-04-24T02:17:58Z")
Yeah, I know…But I would like to keep this real world as much as possible. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/6 "2023-04-24T13:48:56Z")
Happy Doperversary there @Czarcasm! And a 99er no less. People, we are in the presence of an Elder AristoDoper. All hail our betters! 😁 ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/7 "2023-04-25T07:18:28Z")
it will be alot darker at night. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/8 "2023-04-25T07:30:52Z")
But with more stars. ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/9 "2023-04-25T08:15:55Z")
Why would earths axis destabilize? Mercury, venus and Mars don’t seem to have axis issues despite the absence of large moons. If there is crazy fast disco guitar interspersed with symphonic fanfare though, I’m all in. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/10 "2023-04-25T11:21:29Z")
They do. Here ya go: > **[Earth's Stabilizing Moon May Be Unique Within Universe](https://www.space.com/12464-earth-moon-unique-solar-system-universe.html)** > > Only ten percent of terrestrial planets may have satellites comparable to Earth's moon, which means it might be not only unique in the solar system, but throughout the universe as well. > The moon has long been recognized as a significant [stabilizer of Earth’s orbital axis](https://www.space.com/55-earths-moon-formation-composition-and-orbit.html). Without it, astronomers have predicted that Earth’s tilt could vary as much as 85 degrees. In such a scenario, the sun would swing from being directly over the equator to directly over the poles over the course of a few million years, a change which could result in [dramatic climatic shifts](https://www.space.com/6197-mars-wobbles-created-climate-swings.html). ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/11 "2023-04-25T15:30:20Z")
First wolf to second wolf, “Hey, isn’t it supposed to be our howling night?” ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/12 "2023-04-26T23:22:01Z")
> [@FluffyBob](#): > > Why would earths axis destabilize? Mercury, venus and Mars don’t seem to have axis issues despite the absence of large moons. First, Mercury and Venus are very slow rotators, esp. when compared to their orbital times. That leaves Mars. Decent rotation time. Closer to Jupiter. But not nearly as massive as Earth. Barely over 10%. The titled axis is comparable to Earth’s. Here’s an [article](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160302132609.htm#:~:text=The%20surface%20of%20the%20planet,largest%20in%20the%20Solar%20System.) about a change to the tilt 3+ BY ago due to volcanic activity. Apparently no comparable disruption to tilt from other causes since. I think the smaller mass could be the main explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/13 "2023-04-26T23:31:43Z")
In the episode “Another Time, Another Place” Alpher returns to earth and finds a five degree axial shift has resulted in almost all of earth being uninhabitable. Except for SoCal, which is, now and forever, awesome. 🙂 I’d worry more about an Endor Apocalypse, with all the megatons of blasted moon rock falling to earth. You can see the enormous ray crater in some shots of the moon. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/14 "2023-04-26T23:55:15Z")
Episode of what, if I might ask? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/15 "2023-04-27T00:51:46Z")
Yeah, what @Czarcasm said. Episode of _what_? [Some Googling indicates it was a film in 1958 and an episode of Space:1999] I’m betting on the latter. > [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > … with all the megatons of blasted moon rock falling to earth. You can see the enormous ray crater in some shots of the moon. See also Seveneves: > **[Seveneves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seveneves)** > > Seveneves is a hard science fiction novel by Neal Stephenson published in 2015. The story tells of the desperate efforts to preserve Homo sapiens in the wake of apocalyptic events on Earth after the unexplained disintegration of the Moon and the remaking of human society as a space-based civilization after a severe genetic bottleneck. > In the near future, an unknown agent causes the Moon to shatter. As the pieces begin to collide with one another, astronomer and science popularizer "Doc" Dubois... ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/16 "2023-04-27T01:13:21Z")
Really interesting. Once again the dope amazes. Never read that Neal Stevenson, really enjoyed Anathem. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/17 "2023-04-27T02:29:43Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Episode of what, if I might ask? Seriously? > [@Czarcasm](#): > > _Space: 1999_ was an entertaining show based on the idea that a ginormous explosion has ripped the moon from Earth’s orbit and sent inhabitants of the moon on an incredible voyage. > **[Another Time, Another Place (Space: 1999)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Another_Time,_Another_Place_(Space:_1999))** > > "Another Time, Another Place" is the sixteenth episode of the first series of Space: 1999. The screenplay was written by Johnny Byrne; the director was David Tomblin. The final shooting script is dated 20 January 1974, with blue-page amendments dated 25 January and 1 April 1974. Live-action filming took place Tuesday 2 April 1974 through Friday 19 April 1974. Two days of second-unit filming took place Tuesday 23 April 1974 and Thursday 25 April 1974 during the production of "Missing Link". ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2023, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/18 "2023-04-30T18:05:12Z")
I do not remember this episode at all. I don’t even remember reading this premise. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/19 "2023-05-13T01:23:45Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > They do. > > Here ya go: > > [Earth's Stabilizing Moon May Be Unique Within Universe | Space](https://www.space.com/12464-earth-moon-unique-solar-system-universe.html) > > > The moon has long been recognized as a significant [stabilizer of Earth’s orbital axis](https://www.space.com/55-earths-moon-formation-composition-and-orbit.html). Without it, astronomers have predicted that Earth’s tilt could vary as much as 85 degrees. In such a scenario, the sun would swing from being directly over the equator to directly over the poles over the course of a few million years, a change which could result in [dramatic climatic shifts](https://www.space.com/6197-mars-wobbles-created-climate-swings.html). In an infinite universe, why would anyone assume ANYTHING would be “unique”? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2023, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moonbase-alpha-aftermath-what-happens-after-the-moon-is-torn-from-orbit/983092/20 "2023-05-13T01:28:47Z")
Because the writers of [space.com](http://space.com) are not the same people who did the actual study, and used that word in the headline, even though it was not a word used by the study. The researchers used the word “rare”, not “unique”. Blame clickbait, not science.