How does the moon stabilize earth's axial tilt?

1 Answer
Apr 25, 2016

The stabilization comes from the tidal interaction between the Earth and the Moon.

Explanation:

The same tidal interaction that makes high and low tides line up closely with the Moon, does the same thing with the bulge at our Equator; in effect the bulge is like a big high tide that tends to favor facing the biggest tidal force -- which is from the Moon. The Equator is pulled close to the plane of the Moon's orbit, and the poles follow suit.

For a more complete description of how the Moon and the tides induced by it influence the Earth, see here:

https://ase.tufts.edu/cosmos/view_chapter.asp?id=5&page=8