Photo by Vedad Colic
People don’t often think about the importance of the Moon, but once we start to show interest in the Moon genuinely, we’ll see how valuable Earth’s companion truly is.
Wayne Scott Harral is a huge fan of the Moon. His book, Moon Luck, is a sci-fi novel set on the Moon and the murder mystery that happened on its cratered surface. It’s the tale of thirty astronauts assigned to live on the Moon for lengthy periods when something tragic suddenly turns everyone’s life around.
The Moon is undoubtedly an interesting setting for any sci-fi story to take place in. But aside from that, there are other reasons why the Moon is vital for us and our planet. We’ll be examining those reasons here today.
Reason #1: The Moon is Why One Day Takes 24 Hours
Our planet rotates on its axis as it spins around the Sun in an orbit. Each of these rotations is defined as a single day for the animals living on Earth. This specific rotation is also influenced by the gravitational pull of other celestial bodies near it, and the Moon is very close to Earth.
Before the Moon existed, scientists theorized that it only took Earth to complete its rotation in just six to eight hours. After it formed, the Moon’s gravity drastically slowed down Earth’s movement, shifting it to the 24-hour cycle we’ve come to know.
Now, this effect might seem negligible, but considering the repercussions is a big deal for every living being on Earth.
Reason #2: We Can Use the Moon to Improve Lunar Science
Making spaceships and other things take off to outer space is an extremely expensive endeavor due to gravity. Fortunately for us, our Earthly companion, which happens to be our planet’s natural satellite, is just next door. And since it doesn’t have the gravitational limits Earth has, we can use it as some sort of trampoline.
The Moon only has 17% of Earth’s gravity, which means that launching things into the vast, inky-black space is way easier if done there. Author Wayne Scott Harral is aware of this fact, which is one of the reasons why he uses the Moon as his setting for Moon Luck’s story.
The importance of the Moon is so crucial for our future venture into space. Scientists believe that if we could find a way to turn the Moon into a hub and build a spaceship from there, our space exploration age would begin. That’s how valuable the Moon truly is.
Reason #3: The Moon Was Formerly Earth’s Atmosphere-Protector
Earth’s atmosphere plays a huge role in why life on our planet can thrive. The atmosphere is the outer gas layer holding all the oxygen that many living beings on Earth breathe. Aside from that, it also protects us from harmful cosmic rays and ultraviolet radiation.
Sadly, the atmosphere is something that a planet can easily lose. The atmosphere can quickly dissipate if the planet’s surface gets too hot. If a planet’s size is too small, its gravity and gravitational force might not be sufficient to keep it intact.
Another factor to consider is the solar winds that could bombard a young planet, ruining its chances of developing an atmosphere. Solar winds are violent surges of charged particles that the Sun expels in every direction. If a planet doesn’t have the proper protection, the chances of an atmosphere existing are significantly reduced.
Celebrate the Importance of the Moon by Reading Moon Luck
Now that you know some of the reasons that show the importance of the Moon, it’s time to celebrate its value by reading a fantastic novel with the Moon in it.
Grab a copy of Wayne Scott Harral’s Moon Luck by clicking here. Read more about the Moon in one of our articles titled “How Lucky Can You Be In Moon Luck?“