Moon drifts from Earth at 3.8 cm per year

Moon is drifting away from Earth at 3.83 cm per year, measured by lunar laser ranging since Apollo 11 deployed the first reflector array in 1969.

Over hundreds of millions of years, the recession will lengthen Earth's days and end total solar eclipses.

Weaker tides from the Moon's greater distance will disrupt coastal ecosystems and marine life.

Earth's rotation continues to decelerate as the Moon moves to a higher orbit, causing a long-term transformation of the natural environment.