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The distance between the Earth moon and sun are changing constantly due to the fact that the orbits are ellipses not circles. However there is a general trend i their distances not accounted for by orbital shape.

The distance between the Earth and Moon increases by 3.82 cm.y-1. This is due to the fact that the Earth and Moon gravitationally to slow the Earths rotation and increase the moons orbital rate which lifts it into into a higher orbit (further from the Earth).

The sun and Earth are also moving further apart as well. This not as much due to the tidal effect as the Earth is so small compared to the sun, but to the loss of mass from the sun to create its light and energy emissions.

The tidal effect represents only an increase of about one micrometer (a millionth of a meter, or a ten thousandth of a centimeter) a year.The larger movement of about 1.5 cm.y-1 is due to the decrease in mass of the sun due to the processes of nuclear fusion. Less mass means less gravitational attraction and the Earth can move to a higher orbit.

Edit : This answers lacks accuracy for the question asked for today's distance compared to that five years ago. Discrepancy between these mathematical expressions : (above :3.82 cm.y-1) . (below : 1.5 cm.y-1)

The changing on the solar system planets' orbiting is so small, that practically there isn't any notable difference. May be this difference should be taken on account for the next one million years. Already forgot to mention that this changes must be apllied to all other planets of the solar system. Tidal effect is a term unknown for the most of the readers to this question.

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Why is the moon closer to earth then the sun?

The moon is closer to the Earth then the Sun because the Earth's gravity pulls the moon closer. Also trillions of years ago the Earth was very big. Scientists suspect a meteor hit the Earth and a piece of the Earth broke off. That piece is now called the Moon.


How long ago was the earth and moon created?

The earth was created about 4.54 billion years ago. Depending on who's theory you wish to follow the moon was either then created about 30 million years after the earth (4.53 billion years ago), or at an later date (4.48 billion years ago).


What did the moon look like one billion years ago?

One billion years ago, the moon would have appeared much closer to Earth due to tidal braking (slowing down of the moon's rotation). It would have a stronger gravitational influence on the Earth causing higher tides. The moon's surface would have been more geologically active, with more frequent volcanic activity and impacts.


What is the age of the moon and earth?

The Earth is 4.567 billion years old. The moon is thought to be a little younger at 4 billion years, since it is believed to be a spin off of the Earth's formation.


How long has the moon been around for?

Earth accreted about 4.55 billion years ago. The moon followed, likely from the oblique collision of a Mars-sized object with the Earth anywhere from about 30 - 70 million years afterward. This object, along with parts of the Earth, were vaporized with part of it entering orbit around the Earth, slowly condensing into our moon.

Related Questions

Can we move the moon closer to earth like it was billion of years ago?

No, I don't think that's possible to happen.


Was the moon closer to earth one thousand years ago than it is today?

Yes it was. At current, the moon is moving away from the earth at an average of about 1 inch per year.


Why moon not orbit sun?

because the moon is the result of an asteroid hitting the earth 4 billion years ago. a chunk of the earth came off and started orbiting the earth because it was closer to the earth than the sun


Is the earth closer to the sun than 10 years ago?

There is no evidence to suggest the sun is any closer to the earth than it was 10 years ago. The sun is still 92,960,000 miles from Earth.


Why is the moon closer to earth then the sun?

The moon is closer to the Earth then the Sun because the Earth's gravity pulls the moon closer. Also trillions of years ago the Earth was very big. Scientists suspect a meteor hit the Earth and a piece of the Earth broke off. That piece is now called the Moon.


How long ago was the earth and moon created?

The earth was created about 4.54 billion years ago. Depending on who's theory you wish to follow the moon was either then created about 30 million years after the earth (4.53 billion years ago), or at an later date (4.48 billion years ago).


How far away was the moon from the earth 4 billion years ago?

Around 4 billion years ago, the Moon was significantly closer to Earth than it is today, approximately 15,000 to 20,000 kilometers (about 9,300 to 12,400 miles) away. This proximity was due to the Moon's formation and the gravitational interactions between the Earth and Moon shortly after the Moon's formation. Over time, tidal forces have gradually caused the Moon to drift away, currently averaging about 384,400 kilometers (238,855 miles) from Earth.


What did the moon look like one billion years ago?

One billion years ago, the moon would have appeared much closer to Earth due to tidal braking (slowing down of the moon's rotation). It would have a stronger gravitational influence on the Earth causing higher tides. The moon's surface would have been more geologically active, with more frequent volcanic activity and impacts.


Were the moon came from?

as other people say moon come from the earth so it means that when the earth was formed millions years ago something hit earth and a part of earth riped apart and that was the moon


What is the age of the moon and earth?

The Earth is 4.567 billion years old. The moon is thought to be a little younger at 4 billion years, since it is believed to be a spin off of the Earth's formation.


How long has the moon been around for?

Earth accreted about 4.55 billion years ago. The moon followed, likely from the oblique collision of a Mars-sized object with the Earth anywhere from about 30 - 70 million years afterward. This object, along with parts of the Earth, were vaporized with part of it entering orbit around the Earth, slowly condensing into our moon.


Is the moon closer to the sun than earth?

It is an arc, a part of a circle. This was one of the reasons why the ancient Greek astronomers knew that the Earth was round, over 2400 years ago. The idea that astronomers or scientists believed that the Earth was "flat" has always been a myth. Only the peasants and farmers thought the Earth was flat. Every sailor from the Phoenicians on knew the Earth was round.