"The Future Rarity of Total Solar Eclipses: Predicting Earth's Last Spectacular Event"

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Source: IFLScience
"The Future Rarity of Total Solar Eclipses: Predicting Earth's Last Spectacular Event"
Photo: IFLScience
TL;DR Summary

The last total solar eclipse on Earth is predicted to occur in about 600 million years, as the Moon continues to drift away from the planet. The current rate of the Moon's recession, measured by the Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment, suggests that the Moon will collide with Earth about 1.5 billion years ago if projected backward, which conflicts with the Moon's actual age. As the Moon's orbit evolves, the frequency of total solar eclipses will decrease, and about 600 million years from now, Earth will witness its last total solar eclipse before the Sun becomes a red giant and engulfs the planet.

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