Due to Earth's rotation, the two bulges act like two expansive “waves” continuously undulating around our planet. The overall effect of these tidal forces is to “squeeze” the oceans, and produce two tidal bulges on opposite sides of the Earth-one facing the Moon and a slightly smaller one facing away from the Moon (see illustration). The Sun's gravitational force, on the other hand, varies much less because the Sun is so far away. The tidal forces of the Moon are much stronger than the Sun's because it is so much closer to our planet, causing a much greater variation in the gravitational force from one location to another. This variation creates the differential forces or tidal forces that in turn cause tides. Rather, tides are created because the strength and direction of the gravitational pull varies depending on where on Earth you are. This is because, contrary to common belief, tides are not caused by the gravitational forces of the Moon or the Sun lifting up the oceans-their gravitational pull is much too weak for that. Although the Sun's gravitational pull on the Earth is 178 times stronger than the Moon's, the tidal bulges it causes are much smaller. While both the Moon and the Sun influence the ocean tides, the Moon plays the biggest role. March 24-25, 2024: Micro Moon and penumbral lunar eclipseĪpril 2024: Jupiter and Moon close approach Moon Plays the Biggest Role Business Date to Date (exclude holidays)Īt New Moon and Full Moon, the gravitational force of the Sun and the Moon act together to create spring tides.

Lunar tides discount