The New Moon arriving on Friday will not only bring darker skies for stargazers. It will also affect the tides along South Africa’s coastline.
As the Sun and Moon broadly align with Earth during the New Moon, their gravitational effects work together to produce a greater difference between high and low tides. Popularily known as the Spring tide
The Moon has a bigger effect on tides because it is much closer to Earth. Although the Sun has stronger gravity, its greater distance means it has a weaker effect on the tides.
Why the New Moon affects tidesTides are not simply caused by the Moon and Sun pulling the oceans upwards. They result from differences in the strength of their gravitational pull across Earth.
The Moon’s close distance to Earth means its gravitational pull changes more noticeably across the planet. These differences create the tidal forces that cause ocean levels to rise and fall.
During a New Moon, the Sun and Moon are broadly aligned with Earth. Their tidal forces then combine, increasing the difference between high and low tide.
The same effect occurs around a Full Moon.
What is a spring tide?
A spring tide means there is a larger tidal range. Higher high tides and lower low tides than usual.
Spring tides have nothing to do with the spring season. The name describes the stronger tidal range that occurs around the New and Full Moon phases.
People living along or visiting South Africa’s coastline can check local tide times before heading to the beach, fishing, boating or taking part in other activities near the water.