The Catastrophic Consequences of Earth's Gravity Mimicking the Moon's for One Minute

Imagine a scenario where Earth's gravity suddenly becomes as weak as that on the Moon for one minute. This whimsical thought experiment quickly reveals itself to be a disaster, involving widespread destruction and potentially leading to the extinction of all life on the planet.

Atmosphere and Oceans Vanish

The most immediate and catastrophic effect would be the loss of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans. With gravity reduced to the Moon's level, the thin lunar atmosphere would be insufficient to retain the Earth's gaseous envelope and liquid surface. These elements would be expelled into space, leaving behind a barren, airless rock.

Extinction of All Life

The loss of atmospheric pressure and the escape of water would cause an immediate and irreversible extinction of all life forms on the planet. Humans and other large organisms would perish, unable to survive the sudden drop in air pressure and the exposure to the harsh vacuum of space.

Possible Long-Term Consequences

Even after the initial catastrophe, it's unlikely that the Earth could regain its form. Without its atmosphere and oceans, the planet would gradually cool, and the remaining liquid water, if any, would solidify. Over time, the Earth might eventually settle into a molten ball, a fate far worse than the current chaotic state.

Alternative Scenarios: Adjusting the Moon

Assuming for a moment that such a scenario were possible, one could consider increasing the Moon's mass to maintain Earth's size. However, to maintain the original orbit, the Moon's orbital velocity would need to be adjusted. This scenario, as proposed by Shreeram Murali, would result in extreme tidal effects, potentially leading to widespread tsunamis and earthquakes every few days. The lunar orbit would also shift, causing additional disruptions.

Earth's Rotation and Tides Accelerate

With the Moon's gravitational influence reduced, Earth's rotation would slow down, but the remaining gravitational forces would still generate extremely strong tides. Tidal forces six times stronger than current levels would cause significant geological and environmental disruptions.

In another scenario, compressing the Moon to a smaller size could achieve the same gravitational effect. However, this would increase the Moon's density to more than twice that of osmium, the densest known material. Such a radical change in the Moon's physical properties would likely render any future space exploration plans, such as NASA's Artemis program, unfeasible.

Life and Survival

While the immediate outcomes are indeed catastrophic, it's also worth considering the long-term dynamic effects. Both Earth and the Moon would be subject to pressure, potentially leading both celestial bodies to move closer to the Sun. This could once again stabilize them, though at the expense of their existing forms and potential for supporting life.

In the end, maintaining the current state of Earth's gravity is paramount for the survival of all life. Any alteration to this delicate balance poses risks to the very existence of our planet.