Have you ever wondered what would happen if we were to divide the moon into two halves? In this episode of Dead Planets Society, hosts Leah Crane and Chelsea Whyte explore the intriguing concept of breaking the moon in half. While the moon is undeniably stunning in the night sky, it poses challenges for astronomers as its brightness can overshadow their observations of faint objects. But is obliterating the moon the solution to this problem? Leah and Chelsea are joined by experts Haym Benaroya from Rutgers University and Jonathan McDowell from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics to delve into this long-standing lunar grudge.
Cracking the moon open and scattering its debris to create the “world’s biggest ball pit” would require an immense amount of force. To prevent gravity from pulling the moon back together, the cosmic equivalent of a jackhammer or a vast array of lasers would be needed. However, achieving the actual cracking of the moon would likely necessitate even more substantial measures, such as exploiting moonquakes or colliding another celestial body with it.
The consequences of splitting the moon would be highly destructive. It could result in a fiery shower of lunar fragments capable of ending life on Earth, and the moon’s impact on tides would undergo significant changes. But amidst the potential chaos, there is a silver lining: the moon’s molten core would be released, potentially creating the most colossal and peculiar sculpture ever witnessed.
Dead Planets Society is a podcast that explores audacious ideas about manipulating the cosmos, ranging from extinguishing the sun to causing a gravitational wave apocalypse. Join us as we subject these concepts to the laws of physics to uncover their feasibility.
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Insights:
– Astronomers face difficulties in observing faint celestial objects due to the moon’s luminosity.
– Splitting the moon would require a tremendous amount of force and unique approaches.
– The consequences of breaking the moon would include a rain of lunar fragments and significant tidal changes.
– The moon’s molten core, if unleashed, could result in an unprecedented and extraordinary sculpture.
– Dead Planets Society is a podcast that explores imaginative ideas about manipulating the cosmos.
