Let's say earth had two bodies orbiting it

[mattao]

Hi, I was wondering what the realities and effects would be of a smaller (1/5 moon size) body was in orbit around earth, I am familiar with the possibilities of this via Hill Sphere. Wanted to know what effects would be on earth, moon, etc. A little vague I know but very curious. Any help, mucho appreciato!

 

[derekmcd]

The first two most notable effect that i can think of would be lower tides and a faster rotation of the Earth about its axis due to lesser tidal effects. There might also be some significant geological effects (or lack thereof).<br /><br />It would be interesting to see how our civilization might develop. Might religion have developed different? Science? Space exploration? The moon in its current state has commanded the attention of the human race since we peered into the sky. A smaller moon might very well have a faster orbit in addition to the earth rotating faster... it might not be so significant to the earliest of humans.<br /><br />Just a though. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div> </div><br /><div><span style="color:#0000ff" class="Apple-style-span">"If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." - Homer Simpson</span></div> </div>

 

[derekmcd]

Oh yeah... on behalf of MeteorWayne <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />, welcome to SDC. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div> </div><br /><div><span style="color:#0000ff" class="Apple-style-span">"If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." - Homer Simpson</span></div> </div>

 

[usn_skwerl]

religion woud certainly be affected by having two moons. some traditional pagan religions rely heavily on the existance and lore, as well as its phases and effect upon the earth cast by the moon. *raises hand* <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[derekmcd]

Hmm... the original subject was about a smaller moon. Not sure why it was changed to two. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div> </div><br /><div><span style="color:#0000ff" class="Apple-style-span">"If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." - Homer Simpson</span></div> </div>

 

[nexium]

Two moons comes from the title. My guess is the OP = original post ment to keep the present moon and add another moon with 1/5 the mass. It could orbit at perhaps 100,000 kilometers in a near circular orbit, in the plane of Earth's orbit, instead of tipped 5 degrees like our present moon. It would complete an orbit about once per week instead of once per month and appear larger than our present moon.<br />It would not affect the average tide much, but the highest tides would be approximately twice as high (assuming it rotated in the same direction)<br />If 1/5 size means diameter, it would be puny with only about 1% of the mass of our present moon, even if it was made of mostly iron. It would affect the tides very little, even the peak tides. Neil

 

[mithridates]

I always think about this subject too. A second moon would have a huge effect on history if we're assuming that it has a closer orbit than the one we have. 100,000 km would make it about a day's journey away, and with the lower gravity as well it would be much easier to colonize. Since it's closer to the Earth that would make it that much more of a threat were any country to take it for their own so I suspect it would have developed in a similar way to Antarctica, with a lot of surveillance to make sure that nothing capable of harming the Earth goes on there. Colonization of the parts most directly facing the Earth might also have been forbidden just to make sure.<br /><br />With two objects definitely rotating around us, it might have taken us longer to realize that the universe doesn't rotate around us as well. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>----- </p><p>http://mithridates.blogspot.com</p> </div>

 

[vogon13]

Yeah, this hypothetical moon would have much more 'eye candy' appeal than Cruithne.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[ashish27]

Holla Matt!<br /><br />If Earth had another natural satellite orbiing it the following things could have happened:<br /><br />1. There would be 4 full moon days in one month<br />2. On a dual full moon day (when both moons are wholly visble) we won't need street lighting<br />3. Nasa would have difficult choice on which moon to go first. The Dems and Reps will pitch for a different moon<br />4. We would have intra-lunar eclipses with one moon eclipsing another and that would be a spectucular event.<br />5. The smaller moon would eventually be brought by Richard Branson for setting up a hotel for honey-mooning couples.<br />6. Add your own.....<br /><br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <br /><br />

 

[mattao]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Given me a much better idea. Hope you all have good days.