The MoonBy 1a Linguistico

There are four different theories on how the moon was created but most scientists agree that the moon was created after:

A planet the size of Mars crashed into the earth. This collision caused debris and stones to be sent into orbit which then led into forming the moon.

Creation

The moons surface is divided into two parts, the mountainous highlands and the large plains called maria. The smooth floors of the maria, varying from flat to gently undulating, are covered by a thin layer of powered rock and volcanic rock that darkens the plains. The brighter regions of the moon are the mountainous highlands where the terrain is rough and covered with craters and rocky rubble

Physical Characteristics

The moon is the only natural satellite of earth and the fifth largest moon in the solar system. The moon is in synchronous rotation with earth which means that it’s always showing the same face. The moons gravitational influence produces the ocean tides and the minute lengthening of the day. The moon is the only celestial body other than earth on which humans have set foot on. It takes the moon 27 days 7 hours and 43.1 minutes to complete a full orbit. The moon is also smaller than earth and the sun even though it doesn’t look like it.

Characteristics

A solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the sun and earth, and the moon fully or partially occults the sun. This process can only happen at new moon, when the sun and the moon are in conjunction as seen from earth in an alignment.

Solar Eclipse

A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly behind the earth into its shadow. This process can only occur when the sun, earth and moon are aligned and the night of a full moon. The type and length of the lunar eclipse depends on the positioning of the moon relative to its orbital nodes. Unlike a solar eclipse which can only be seen from a relatively small area of the world, a lunar eclipse can be seen from anywhere on the night side of the earth.

Lunar Eclipse

Lunar Phases

The lunar phase is the shape of the sunlit portion of the moon. The phases change as the moon orbits the earth. The principal lunar phases are:

New Moon: It’s not visible because it’s too close to the sun.

First Quarter: Visible in the afternoon and early evening.

Full Moon: Completely illuminated and visible at sunset to sunrise.

Last Quarter: Visible during late night and morning.