Stopping the Earth's rotation Name: Adam L Chorak and Janette L
Gubala What would happen if the Earth's rotation stopped? The
biggest changes would be the climate. One side would be very hot
and the other very cool and dark. There would be lots of other
related changes. There are very few ways that we could slow down
the rotation. The major forces acting to do this are related to
tidal gravitational forces from the Moon and the Sun. We should
not expect this change soon. Samuel P Bowen All our toilets
would flush straight down instead of swirling? Sorry, I could
not resist. That is like asking what would happen if the Moon
disappeared, or the Sun stopped burning, or fire became cold
instead of hot. What would happen if the Earth's tides and
weather went totally bananas? If the Sun no longer rose and set?
If geostationary satellites started orbiting overhead every 24
hours, I could not watch my MTV! Click here to return to the
Astronomy Archives Update: June 2012