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Question: How does moon stabilizes earth's axial tilt?

(Posted by: Fantail Flycatcher on 2009-09-07 08:57:11)

I have seen in a documentary that if moon disappears earth's tilt will wobble to large degrees. I have read previously that accumulation of ice during ice ages changed the earth's axis. I am a bit confused with how does moon stabilizes tilt to 23.5 degrees. Can you give me a reference to the mechanics involved? Thanks a lot

Posted by: B. on 2009-09-07, 10:11:01

The moon has a gravitational field of it's own. If it were to disappear, it's gravitational pull would too.