1. The Solar System
Moons

2. Objectives - Describe the current theory of the origin of Earth’s Moon
Explain what causes the phases of Earth’s Moon
Describe the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse
Describe the individual characteristics of the moons or other planets

3. Did You Know???

4. Luna Our moon is named Luna
Early Apollo missions show that the moon is about 4.6 billion years old

5. Luna Rotation – 27 ED Revolution – 27 ED Size – 3,475 km
Temp oF at night
273oF during the day
Gravity – 16% OF Earth’s

6. Lunar Origins There are 4 theories to the formation of the moon:
The Capture Theory
The Condensation Theory
The Fission Theory
The Giant Impact Theory

7. The Capture Theory
The moon was formed somewhere else in the solar system, and was pulled into orbit by the Earth’s gravitational pull
Scientists don’t believe this theory because something would have to slow it down just enough as it went by

8. The Condensation Theory
As the pieces that formed the solar system came together, the moon and Earth formed near each other.

9. The Fission Theory
About 4.6 billion years ago while the Earth was still forming, the rapidly spinning Earth tossed pieces into space which formed and became the Moon

11. The Giant Impact Theory
About 4.6 billion years ago while the Earth was still molten, a large body collided with Earth. This ejected a large chunk into space, which was captured by Earths gravity.

13. Phases of the Moon
As the moon revolves around the Earth the amount of sunlight that reaches the moon changes
This is what gives us the different phases of the moon

14. Waxing and Waning Waxing – When the Moon is gradually getting larger
Waning – When the moon is gradually getting smaller

16. Phases of the Moon
Because the Moons period of rotation is the same as its period of revolution, we only ever see one side of the Moon

17. Phases of the Moon

18. Eclipses
Eclipse – When the shadow of one celestial body falls on another
There are 2 types of eclipses:
Solar Eclipse
Lunar Eclipse

19. Solar Eclipse
During a solar eclipse the moon comes between the Earth and the Sun

21. Solar Eclipse

22. Lunar Eclipse
During a Lunar Eclipse the Earth comes between the sun and the Moon

24. Lunar Eclipse

26. Moons Orbit
The Moon’s Orbit is tilted at 5o, which is why we don’t have an eclipse every month

28. Review Our moon is named Luna
There are 4 theories about how the moon was formed
A waxing moon is getting bigger
A waning moon is getting smaller
A solar eclipse is when the moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
A lunar eclipse is when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon

29. Journal
Come up with your own theory to how the moon may have been formed.