Our Earth and Its Moon

The Earth The earth is the only planet suitable for life. God positioned Earth at just the right distance from the sun so that all living things could tolerate the temperatures. The atmosphere is mostly nitrogen with 20% oxygen to breathe. There is a form of oxygen in our ozone layer protects the earth from the sun’s harmful rays.

The Earth 70% of the Earth is covered in water. God has provided many cycles to keep the Earth in balance. Genesis 8:22 says’ “While the Earth remains, planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will not cease.”

The Moon The moon is a satellite. A satellite is an object that revolves around another. The moon reflects enough light at night when it is full, that you can see and even cast a shadow. The moon was placed in the sky even before man was placed on the Earth.

A Mountainous Moon To the eye the moon looks like a giant sponge. This is because the surface is pocked with millions of craters. Some of the craters are as small as tennis balls and others are hundreds of miles across and several miles deep.

A Mountainous Moon The mountain ranges include Mount Epsilon. It is higher than Mount Everest. There are areas called “maria” which resemble rolling plains.

Phases of the Moon The moon revolves around the earth at 23oo mph. The moon takes 29 days, 12 hours, and 44 minutes to complete a full cycle. This is called a lunar month. The same side of the moon faces the earth at all times!!!

Phases of the Moon As it moves through its lunar month, parts of the moon are hidden in shadow. The new moon is when the moon’s lit side is away from the earth. The visible moon gradually “waxes” or grows larger. When the moon is half full and half dark…It is called the first quarter moon.

Phases of the Moon When we see the entire sunlit moon..it is a Full Moon! As the moon waxes, it is said to be in the gibbous phase. The second gibbous phase is when the moon is waning or shrinking. When the moon is half dark and half light again, it is called the third quarter moon.

Eclipses There are two different types of eclipses: 1.Solar Eclipse 2.Lunar Eclipse

Solar Eclipse A solar eclipse occurs when a new moon moves directly between the sun and the earth. This blocks the photosphere from view. This type of eclipse is rare.

Lunar Eclipse A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon is full and the earth moves between it and the sun.

The Moon and Tides The moon pulls on the earth. This pull (from the gravity from the moon) cause the oceans to rise and fall along the shores.

The Moon and Tides High Tide is when the waters along the shore are at their highest point. Low Tide is when the waters along the shore are at their lowest point.

The Moon and Tides When the sun and the moon are in alignment, they “team” up to pull extra on the tides. These are called spring tides.

The Moon and Tides Neap tides occur when there is a first-quarter moon or a third quarter moon. At this time, the moon and the sun work against each other and the tides are lower!

The End of the Moon!!!