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The
Earth's rotation gradually slowing at about .00002 seconds per year
due to such effects as tidal friction. As the Earth spin slows, its
energy given over to the moon which moves the moon away from the Earth
about 4 cm per year. Since 1754, observations indicate that the moon's
orbit is moving away from the Earth. Backward extrapolation would
have the moon in contact with the Earth in < 2 billion years. If it came within Roche's Limit (11,500 miles) it would tear the moon to pieces.
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