🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Dec14.153154.22191@newsgate.sps.mot.com>, markm@bigfoot.sps.mot.com (Mark Monninger) writes:
=Over the weekend, I heard a network news commentator say that high winds  
=and a full moon caused (or made worse) the higher-than-usual tide that  
=caused so much damage along the northeast coast. What does a full moon  
=have to do with it? I find it hard to believe that a full moon has any  
=effect on the tides. The mass of the moon, and hence its gravitational  
=pull on the ocean doesn't change, nor does its distance from the earth (at  
=least not because the moon is full). The only thing that really changes is  
=that we on earth can see more of the moon. Is this an urban legend or  
=what?

The moon is not the sole source of tides.  The tidal effects of the sun are
also significant.  During new and full moons, the tidal effects of the sun and
the moon reinforce each other.  Hence higher tides during new and full moons,
ceteris paribus.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carl J Lydick | INTERnet: CARL@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU | NSI/HEPnet: SOL1::CARL

Disclaimer:  Hey, I understand VAXen and VMS.  That's what I get paid for.  My
understanding of astronomy is purely at the amateur level (or below).  So
unless what I'm saying is directly related to VAX/VMS, don't hold me or my
organization responsible for it.  If it IS related to VAX/VMS, you can try to
hold me responsible for it, but my organization had nothing to do with it.