Standing on the Moon

Posted by David Wetzel

Source: Wired Science

NASA is preparing to go back to the moon after almost 40 years. This time to stay for months at a time, with the intention of using the moon as springboard for sending men and women to Mars and other space exploration.

Now NASA is wondering what the effects are on the human body, since the moon’s gravitational pull is 1/6 th of earths gravitational pull on the human body.

In view of NASA’s decision to go back to the moon, have you wondered what it is like to stand on the moon?

Almost everyone learns about the gravitational pull of the moon being 1/6 th that of earth; however, what does that really mean?

In mathematical terms, a person who weighs 120 pounds on earth would weigh 20 pounds on the moon.

So now that we have done the math, how can someone simulate this when they are on earth and not on the moon?

NASA being the ingenious people they are have determined that if someone lies in bed at a 9.5 degree angle, the body feels the effects of being on the moon and its 1/6 th gravitational pull.

Try it

Lift one end of your bed so that it is tilted at exactly 9.5 degrees.

Now lie in your bed with your head at the high end and your feet at the bottom, resting on a board.

Your body will slid down until it places the exact amount of weight on your feet that is equal to the gravitational pull of the moon.

Now here is the catch, lie in this position for 90 days!

This is the only way to experience the gravitational pull astronauts will feel being on the moon for 90 days at a time.

Reality

You may only want to try this for a few hours or maybe a day.

The effects on the body after 90 days include weak muscles, loss of bone density, and inability to tolerate the gravitational pull of earth without physical therapy.

However, you can gain a sense of what it is like to stand on the moon for a few hours.