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Our Marvelous MOON
Sarah White
Voila, La Lune
Formation
Physical features
Lunar Cycle
Ocean Tides
Eclipses
Moon Formation Theories
Fission Theory Moon breaks off from Earth
Problems? Earth rotation too slow
Capture Theory Earth’s gravitational pull
Problems? Need extended Earth atmosphere
Giant Impact Theory Proto-Earth is hit
Accretion forms moon
Problems? Undetermined relative sizes
Physical Features
Diameter 3.5 km (1/4 Earth)
Surface Area < .1% of Earth
Orbital Period 27.3 days
Surface Gravity 17% of Earth
So what is so special about the
moon, anyways?
Lunar Cycle
Repeats every 29.5 days
Synodic Period
Harvest Moon
Waning
Decreasing size
Waxing
Increasing size
Ocean Tides
High Tide
Two “bulges”
Elevated Sea Level
Low Tide
Water rushes to
bulges
Earth Rotation
Friction on seafloor
Solar Eclipse
• Moon is between Earth & Sun
www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov
Lunar Eclipse
Earth is between Moon & Sun
www.starryskies.com
Alright moon experts, what would happen to Earth if the moon’s orbital path was closer to
Earth than it is now?