Moon and Earth
Make a Comparison Chart Moon Both Earth
The Moon The moon is the Earth’s only natural satellite.
The Moon The same side of the moon always faces the Earth because it rotates in the same amount of time that it revolves.
Rotation Rotation is the spinning of a planet or moon on its axis.
Revolution Revolution is one complete trip of a planet around the sun or the moon around Earth.
Moon Phases The moon looks different at different times of the month. The moon does not change it’s shape, what changes is the part f the moon that reflects light from the sun to Earth.
Moon Phases The moon orbits (revolves) Earth about once every 28 days (about once a month). This is called a lunar cycle. The moon revolving around Earth causes moon phases.
Moon Phases
Earth’s Season’s The Earth is tilted on it’s axis 23 ½ degrees. Because of this tilt Earth has different seasons.
The Moon The moon is about ¼ the size of Earth.
The Moon The Earth’s tides are caused by the moon’s gravitational pull.
The Moon The moon has no light of it’s own. It reflects light from the sun.
The Moon The moon has no atmosphere, no air, no water, and no life. The moon’s surface is rocky with many craters and mountains.
Moon vs. Earth The Earth’s surface is 72% water. Its surface consists of water, soil, and rocks. The Earth’s atmosphere is made up of hydrogen and methane gases. The Earth’s atmosphere protects it from the extreme heat and cold. The moon’s surface has no water. Its surface consists of craters, rocks, and dust. The moon has no atmosphere. It also has more craters because there is no weathering and erosion.
Moon vs. Earth The moon revolves around the Earth in about 28 days. The moon rotates on its own axis in the same amount of time. Therefore, the same side of the moon always faces the Earth. The Earth revolves around the Sun in 365 ¼ days. The Earth rotates on its own axis in 24 hours.
Eclipses An eclipse happens when one object in space casts a shadow on another object in space.
Lunar Exploration His famous statement made as stepping onto the lunar surface was, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Apollo 11 landed on the moon July 20, 1969 with Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Neil Armstrong was the first person to set foot on the moon.
Check Comparison Chart Moon No Water No Atmosphere Silent No weathering or erosion ¼ size of Earth Both Have rocks, craters, and valleys Iron core Both have/had volcanic activity Revolve and rotate Earth Tides are caused by the moon’s gravitational pull Surface is 72% covered by water Atmosphere is hydrogen and methane gases Weathering and erosion are caused by wind, rain, and ice
Questions
How can you compare the size of the Earth and the Moon?
The moon is ¼ the size of Earth
How do the atmospheres compare?
Earth has an atmosphere and the moon does not Earth has an atmosphere and the moon does not. There is air, water, and life on Earth and not on the moon. There is no weathering and erosion on the moon.
How can you describe the surface of the moon and how it relates to the Earth?
The surface of the moon is rocky with many craters The surface of the moon is rocky with many craters. The Earth is also rocky but with fewer craters due to weathering and erosion and is mostly water.
What is the difference between phases and seasons?
Phases are caused by the moon revolving around Earth and occur every 28 days. Seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth on it’s axis and occur every 365 days.
What causes an eclipse?
An object in space casting a shadow on another object.
Why do we always see the same side of the moon?
The moon rotates and revolves in the same amount of time
What causes tides?
The moon’s gravitational pull