Chapter 1
The cosmic tug of war
Chapter 2
The Sun enters the dance
Chapter 3
Coastal shapes and local rhythms
Chapter 4
Tides and the web of life
YOUR GOAL
Master of Why the ocean has tides
Ch 1 · The cosmic tug of war
nic Ocean Tides
Moon pulls the water, moon pulls the water, making high tides on both sides!
nic As Earth rotates on its axis, coastal regions pass through the two watery bulges every day.
nic High tide happens simultaneously on opposite sides of Earth because the Moon pulls the planet away from the far ocean.
Fun Fact
Tidal braking: The friction of tides is slowly slowing Earth's rotation by about 2.3 milliseconds every century.
Glossary
syzygy (noun)
The alignment of three or more celestial bodies in a straight or nearly straight configuration. This astronomical alignment once flooded Miami's Brickell neighborhood under sunny skies in October 2015.
The alignment of three or more celestial bodies in a straight or nearly straight configuration. This astronomical alignment once flooded Miami's Brickell neighborhood under sunny skies in October 2015.