The Moon's Proximity in the Late Triassic and Its Impact on Earth's Tides

During the Late Triassic period, about 200 million years ago, the Moon was significantly closer to Earth than it is today. This proximity made the Moon appear much larger in the night sky, with significant implications for the Earth's tides and ecosystems.

The Moon's Closer Proximity and Increased Apparent Size

Due to the Moon's proximity to Earth during the Late Triassic, its apparent size in the sky was noticeably larger and brighter compared to its current appearance. The Moon is currently moving away from Earth at a rate of approximately 1.5 inches or 3.8 centimeters per year. Therefore, 200 million years ago, the Moon was about 25,000 to 31,000 miles closer to Earth than its current average distance of around 238,855 miles.

This closer distance would have made the Moon appear about 10-15% larger in diameter, significantly enhancing its visual impact in the night sky. This larger, brighter Moon would have been more prominent and potentially had a greater influence on indigenous organisms and ecosystems.

The Extreme Tidal Effects of a Closer Moon

The Moon's gravitational pull is responsible for the Earth's tides, with the Moon exerting a stronger gravitational pull when it is closer to Earth. As a result, the tidal range would have been more extreme, with higher high tides and lower low tides. Coastal areas would have experienced more pronounced tidal fluctuations, impacting marine life and coastal ecosystems.

The Current Moon's Recession and Tidal Impact

Currently, the Moon is receding from Earth at a rate of about 1.5 inches (or 3.8 centimeters) per year. Over 200 million years, this recession amounts to approximately 4734 miles (or 4734 * 1.5 inches 71,010 inches). While this may suggest a significant increase in the Moon's apparent size, the actual increase has been smaller, with estimates placing the Moon's distance about 5000 miles closer during the late Triassic.

Interpolating a graph that estimates the Moon's distance over time, the Moon's distance about 200 million years ago was approximately 377,000 kilometers. Comparing this with the current average distance of 384,400 kilometers, the Moon's apparent size difference would be minimal, with an increase of about 2-3% in its angular size.

While the Moon's closer proximity would have exerted a stronger tidal force, the tidal acceleration, which drives the tides, varies inversely as the cube of the distance. Therefore, the tidal acceleration about 200 million years ago was about 1.06 times what it is today, meaning slight but noticeable differences in tides. However, the Earth's ocean floor would have required more substantial changes to observe these effects.

While these changes in distance and tides would have been significant during the Late Triassic, these estimates are based on rough interpolations and estimates. Nonetheless, they provide an insight into how the Moon's closer proximity would have affected both the night sky and coastal ecosystems.

As the Moon continues to move away from Earth, its impact on Earth's tides and the night sky remains a fascinating subject of study for astronomers and scientists.