The Moon

Facts about the moon…• 1/6th of Earth’s

gravity• -12.5 magnitude • Light from moon is

reflected light from the sun. 11%. The rest is absorbed.

Facts about the moon…• No atmosphere

• No air

• No water

• Extreme temperatures -280 to 250!

Facts about the moon…

• Long days 14 Earth days/Earth nights

• Smaller than the Earth

• No sound

How did the Moon form?• Impact-ejection hypothesis…or…The

Big Whack!• 1) Earth was hit by a large object (Mars

size)• 2) Debris from the impact went out to

space (super-hot vapor)• 3) Debris eventually formed moon over

time due to gravity. (30,000 years)

Facts about the moon…

•240,000 miles from the Earth

Moon Rotation• The Moon has a

synchronous rotation with the Earth = we always see the same side of the moon.

• 27.3 day rotation

History of the Moon• Used for hunting/farming

• Tides

• Calendar “month” comes from moon.

• Galileo identified light and dark areas…

• Lots of folklore/mythology

Features of the Moon• Mare/maria (sea)• Dark areas of the moon-

thought they were oceans• Dry lava beds

Features of the Moon

• Highlands-Light areas of the moon. Ancient lunar crust.

• Named for famous mountain ranges on Earth (Alps)

Features of the Moon

Craters- from meteorite impacts. Named after famous scientists.

Over time…• The moon was continually pelted

with meteorites leaving it cratered

• Last 3 billion years relatively quiet…

• Now the moon is essentially dead

Space Exploration• 6 U.S. Apollo missions

from 1969-1972.• 837 lbs of moon rock.

“The Eagle has landed”- Sea of Tranquility

Moon quakes

Neil Armstrong

• July 20, 1969.• Powdery soil- from shattering rock during bombardment.

The footprints will always remain

Lunar Spud

Lunar Halo• Caused by ice crystals in the Earth’s

atmosphere that are refracted in the light.

Moon Illusion

Harvest Moon• Full moon near

the equinox.

• Rises earlier than normal to give extra light for farmers.

Colored moon• Dust in the

atmosphere refracts and makes the moon appear colored.