Astronomical Tides

Astronomical tides are tides that result from the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun on Earth’s oceans. These tides have a predictable pattern and are influenced by the alignment of the Moon, Sun, and Earth, as well as the shape of the coastline and the ocean floor. Tides are highest when the gravitational forces of the Moon and Sun are aligned, causing the ocean to bulge outward in the direction of the gravitational pull. This results in high tides, and when the gravitational forces are not aligned, the ocean bulges away from the gravitational pull, resulting in low tides.