astronomical tides

Astronomical tides are the regular rising and falling of sea levels caused primarily by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on Earth's oceans. The moon’s gravity pulls water toward it, creating a high tide, while on the opposite side of Earth, a similar high tide occurs due to centrifugal force. As Earth rotates, different coastal areas experience these high and low tides. The sun also influences tides, causing variations like higher spring tides and lower neap tides, depending on its position relative to the moon. These predictable patterns significantly impact coastal ecosystems and human activities.