Moon Drifting Further From Earth, Affecting Rotation and Eclipses

New study shows the Moon is moving away from Earth by 3.82 cm per year, leading to longer days and fewer total solar eclipses over time.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Scientists have confirmed that the Moon is gradually moving away from Earth, a phenomenon that will have subtle yet significant consequences for our planet over millions of years. The current rate of separation is approximately 3.82 centimeters (1.5 inches) per year, which may seem insignificant on a human timescale but adds up significantly over long periods. This gradual drift is affecting Earth's rotation, leading to longer days, and will eventually decrease the frequency and duration of total solar eclipses.

Why it matters

The Moon's movement away from Earth is a natural process that has been occurring for billions of years, but understanding its long-term effects can provide valuable insights into the evolution of our planet and solar system. While the changes won't have a noticeable impact on human life in the near future, tracking this celestial drift can help scientists better model the Earth-Moon system and prepare for future changes.

The details

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studied 90-million-year-old rock formations to understand the Earth-Moon interaction 1.4 billion years ago, providing a historical perspective on the Moon's ongoing recession. As the Moon moves further away, it affects Earth's rotation, causing the length of a day to gradually increase. Currently, a day on Earth is 24 hours long, but projections indicate that in approximately 200 million years, a day could last 25 hours. Additionally, the Moon's increasing distance will lead to a decrease in the frequency and duration of total solar eclipses, with scientists estimating that in roughly 600 million years, total solar eclipses as we know them will no longer be visible from Earth.

  • The current rate of separation between the Earth and Moon is approximately 3.82 centimeters (1.5 inches) per year.
  • In approximately 200 million years, a day on Earth could last 25 hours.
  • In roughly 600 million years, total solar eclipses as we know them will no longer be visible from Earth.

The players

University of Wisconsin-Madison

A public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, where researchers studied 90-million-year-old rock formations to understand the Earth-Moon interaction 1.4 billion years ago.

Stephen Meyers

A professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who explained the relationship between the Moon's movement and Earth's rotation using an analogy of a figure skater slowing down as they extend their arms.

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What they’re saying

“As the moon moves away, Earth is like a figure skater spinning and slowing down as they extend their arms.”

— Stephen Meyers, Professor (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

What’s next

Scientists will continue to monitor the Moon's distance from Earth and study the long-term implications of this gradual drift, including its effects on tidal patterns and the frequency of total solar eclipses.

The takeaway

The Moon's slow but steady recession from Earth is a natural process that has been occurring for billions of years, and while the changes won't have a noticeable impact on human life in the near future, understanding this celestial drift can provide valuable insights into the evolution of our planet and solar system.