Fact #046
Earth & tides
There are two tidal bulges, not one. The far side of Earth bulges away from the Moon.
Tides come from the difference in the Moon's pull across Earth's width. The near side is pulled harder than the planet's centre, and the centre is pulled harder than the far side, so water piles up at both ends. That's why most coasts get two high tides a day rather than one.
Source: NOAA tides and currents · checked Aug 2026