Re: the moons size coincidence?


Dr John Stockton wrote:

Since the Moon's distance is steadily changing on a moderate
astronomical time-scale, there can be no astronomical reason for the
Moon being now a particular angular size.

But it has to stay a certain distance or break it joint orbital
distance with earth.

On the other hand, therefore, the coincidence is that a more-or-less
intelligent race has evolved at the right time to see it.
That's not inevitably a complete coincidence.

Actually it is a statistical anomaly, if not impossibility.

If the Moon were visibly much larger, then the tides would make the
shore-line a permanent disaster area, which could prevent life moving
from sea to land. (If the Moon were much smaller, there would still be
the solar tides, which are of similar magnitude.)

This was discussed several millenia back. But few ould accept data from
the source.

If the Sun was of different absolute size, it would be of different
absolute brightness, and the zone where water is liquid would be at a
different distance. That would affect the solar tide, and so might have
significance.

All hypothetical.

Actually this hypothesis was discussed from the point of view of the
moon's brightness affecting the earth. Several centuries back.

The physicist(s?) involved came to the conclusion that an O/A
temperature difference of 2 degees from the average was possible from
the full moon. This due to increased solar radiation lifting clouds and
causing a temperature drop of 2 degrees.

An argument still unresolved by recent research. Does the temperature
rise or fall with the cloud cover? That might depend on the height of
the clouds.

.

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