1. Earth’s Moon
Chapter 2.2

2. What is the Moon? Earth’s only natural satellite
The only two planets without moons are Mercury and Venus
3,476 kilometers in diameter

3. The Moon’s Surface No atmosphere No liquid water Extreme temperatures
Daytime = 130C (265°F)
Nighttime = -153C (-243 F)
1/6 Earth’s gravity
60 lbs on earth=10 lbs on moon!

4. Movements of the Moon
Revolution – Moon orbits the Earth every 27 1/3 days
The moon rises and sets 50 minutes later each day
Rotation – Moon turns on its axis every 27 days
Same side of Moon always faces Earth

5. It’s Just a Phase Moonlight is reflected sunlight
Half the moon’s surface is always reflecting light
From Earth we see different amounts of the Moon’s lit surface
The amount seen is called a “phase”

6. Waxing and Waning WAX ON…WANE OFF Waxing Waning
When the moon is “growing”  gaining light
Waning
When the moon is getting smaller  losing light

7. Waxing and Waning New moon Waxing Crescent moon First Quarter moon
Waxing Gibbous moon
Full moon
Waning Gibbous moon
Last Quarter moon
Waning Crescent moon