Do We Really Need the Moon?

00:00:06 There are many moons in the solar system, but none like ours.

00:03:14 But they have to paddle like mad just to keep up.

00:05:29 It keeps us firmly in our place on Earth

00:07:35 And any low-lying coastline would be flooded.

00:10:43 ..to a great hole in the ground.

00:13:48 Leave some out in the garden and it will rust.

00:16:38 'He's reproducing a tidal pool in his flask.'

00:18:55 And all beautifully orchestrated by the tidal power of the Moon.

00:21:47 to mark a rare lunar event.

00:24:23 But is it true? Does the Moon really change our behaviour?

00:27:20 - So it's a bit like the rings of a tree, you can use that to date it. - That's right.

00:29:41 then the Earth must have been spinning faster.

00:31:54 As we speed up, I get slung outwards

00:34:24 a phenomenally large number!

00:36:42 The Moon is actually 400 times smaller than the Sun.

00:39:10 there's an extra-long day.

00:41:06 there'd be no summer or winter.

00:43:07 You see, unlike Earth

00:45:30 And it turns out that as the Moon recedes from the Earth

00:47:16 and there are plenty of organisms that can live in very cold temperatures

00:49:29 Like Goldilocks and the porridge, it's just right.

00:51:56 - So no reactions? - There's no reactions going on, that's right.

00:54:12 For 30 years, space scientist Dr David Criswell has had a dream -

00:56:39 on the Moon right now.