The Moon and Lunacy
In The Moon and Lunacy, host Harith Iskander debunks myths that connect the Moon's phases to human behavior, particularly the idea of "lunacy" or madness. The Moon's gravitational pull does influence tides, but it does not have an effect on the water in our bodies, despite common myths. Learn about the Moon’s gravitational force and its real effects on Earth, as well as the science that dispels these longstanding myths. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Got Science?, a science magazine series that explores and explains science in everyday life.
Lesson Express
Q: How does the Moon’s gravitational pull affect the Earth?
A: The Moon’s gravity affects large bodies of water, like the oceans, creating tides.
Q: Why doesn’t the Moon’s gravity affect the water in our bodies the same way it affects ocean tides?
A: The Moon’s gravitational force is strong enough to affect large water masses like oceans, but it’s too weak to impact small amounts of water, like what’s in the human body.
Q: How did the Roman goddess Luna influence the belief in the Moon's power over human behavior?
A: In Roman mythology, Luna was the goddess of the Moon, and people believed her influence could affect emotions and behavior, which led to the association of the Moon with madness or "lunacy."
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