Earth’s Moon Ch. 1, Sec. 4
Galileo Italian scientist Viewed the moon through a telescope – Made by putting two lenses in a wooden tube First to view the moon through a telescope
The Moon’s Surface Maria – – Dark, flat areas – “seas” – Hardened rock formed from huge lava flows Craters – – Large round pits – Made by impacts from meteoroids (chunks of rock or dust from space) Highlands – – Mountains
Characteristics of the Moon Distance from Earth – 384,000 km from Earth Dry and airless Size and Density – 3,476 km in diameter Temperature and Atmosphere – -180°C to 130°C – Temperatures vary due to not having atmosphere – The moon’s surface gravity is so weak that gases easily escape into space Water – No liquid water