The Moon

Age of the moon and formation A Mars-sized body collided with Earth about 4.5 billion years ago. The debris leftover from the impact created the moon. 

Moon surface Over billions of years, these impacts have ground up the surface of the moon into fragments ranging from huge boulders to powder. Nearly the entire moon is covered by a rubble pile of charcoal-gray, powdery dust and rocky debris called the lunar regolith.

Why does the moon shine? The reflection of the Sun

2 Different Revolutions??? No! It has to do with phases.  It takes 27.3 days to complete a revolution of the Moon around the Earth. BUT it takes 29.5 days to change from New Moon to New Moon.

Moon Revolution length on Earth Because Earth is moving as well — rotating on its axis as it orbits the sun — from our perspective, the moon appears to orbit us every 29 days.

Rotation of Moon It takes 27 Earth days for the moon to make 1 rotation

Synchronous rotation The moon is rotating at the same rate that it revolves around Earth. The same hemisphere faces Earth all the time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZIB_leg75Q

Moon affects to Earth makes Earth a more livable planet by moderating our home planet's wobble on its axis, leading to a relatively stable climate. 

Why does the moon have phases? As the moon orbits Earth, different parts are in sunlight or darkness at different times. The changing illumination is why, from our perspective, the moon goes through phases.

How long does each phase last? Each phase lasts for about 3 days.

Look Up!

Thin section of basalt from Apollo 12

Moon phases from Space

Moon phases from Earth

definitions Waxing - increase Waning - decrease Gibbous – swelling, more than half illuminated or hump backed Crescent – less than half illuminated

New Moon

Waxing crescent

First Quarter

Waxing Gibbous

Full Moon

Waning Gibbous

Third Quarter

Waning Crescent