Why are tides caused by the Moon rather than the Sun?

In general, ocean tides are not generated by the overall strength of gravity, but instead by the differences in gravity from one spot to the next (the gravitational gradient). read more

Tides on Earth are caused by both the Moon and the Sun. Ocean tides and terrestrial tides are created. The solar-tidal effect on Earth averages 46% of the strength of the lunar-tidal effect. read more

At New Moon and Full Moon the gravitational force of the Sun and the Moon act together and create spring tides. (Not to scale.) While both the Moon and the Sun influence the ocean tides, the Moon plays the biggest role because it is so much closer to our planet than the Sun. read more