It's got to do with the 'lasso' kind of effect as described on:
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/lin...oon_orbit.html

Cheers,
Pete
Europa Builder A239 dual-wing


"terra" wrote in message
...
Bryan Martin wrote:

in article , Jay at
wrote on 9/11/03 12:44 PM:


What about that tide powered generator idea. Use the force of the
moon's gravitational field to lift water. At low tide, release the
water through turbines and generate some electricity. Although if you
did this enough, the moon would eventually become one with the earth.
=^(


Actually, the Moon is getting farther away from the Earth. The tidal
drag of
the Moon on the Earth is slowing down the Earth's rotation. Since the
Earth
is rotating faster and in the same direction as the Moon is orbiting,
the
Moon is gaining energy as the Earth loses it and the Moon is moving into
a
higher orbit.

Whoa, hold on. I think the Earth's "lost" energy is simply being turned
into
heat, right here on Earth. By what mechanism could it be sent to the moon?