Theory of tides
（重定向自Tidal theory）
![](/Images/godic/202502/16/PortoCovoJan07-44557.jpg")
![Fourier transform of tides measured at Ft. Pulaski in 2012. Data downloaded from http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/datums.html?id=8670870 Fourier transform computed with https://sourceforge.net/projects/amoreaccuratefouriertransform/](/Images/godic/202502/16/Tides_Fourier_Transform4557.png")
![](/Images/godic/202502/16/Galileo_Theory_of_Tides4557.gif")
![Justus Sustermans - Portrait of Galileo Galilei, 1636](/Images/godic/202502/16/Justus_Sustermans_-_Portrait_of_Galileo_Galilei,_16364557.jpg")
The theory of tides is the application of continuum mechanics to interpret and predict the tidal deformations of planetary and satellite bodies and their atmospheres and oceans (especially Earth's Ocean) under the gravitational loading of another astronomical body or bodies (especially the Moon).