1. A look at our nearest neighbor in Space!
The Moon
A look at our nearest neighbor in Space!
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2. What is the Moon? A natural satellite
One of more than 96 moons in our Solar System
The only moon of the planet Earth

3. Location, location, location!
About 384,000 km (240,000 miles) from Earth
3,468 km (2,155 miles) in diameter (about ¼ the size of Earth)

4. Birth of the Moon “Born” 4-5 billion years ago
Formed from impact of Mars-sized “planetesimal” on Earth
Debris from both objects melted together to form the Moon

5. The Moon’s Surface No atmosphere No liquid water Extreme temperatures
Daytime = 130C (265°F)
Nighttime = -190C (-310 F)
1/6 Earth’s gravity

6. Lunar Features - Highlands
Mountains up to 7500 m (25,000 ft) tall
Rilles (trenchlike valleys)

7. Lunar Features - Craters
Up to 2500 km (1,553 miles) across
Most formed by meteorite impact on the Moon
Some formed by volcanic action inside the Moon

9. Lunar Features - Maria
Originally thought to be “seas” by early astronomers
Darkest parts of lunar landscape
Filled by lava after crash of huge meteorites on lunar surface 3-4 billion years ago
Mostly basalt rock

10. Craters
Maria

11. Movements of the Moon
Revolution – Moon orbits the Earth every 27 1/3 days
Rotation – Moon turns on its axis every 29.5 days
Same side of Moon always faces Earth because of how its rotation and the Earth’s rotation line up

12. Far Side of the Moon First seen by Luna 3 Russian space probe in 1959
Surface features different from near side
More craters
Very few maria
Thicker crust

13. It’s Just a Phase
Moonlight is reflected sunlight – it does not produce its own light
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”

14. Waxing and Waning
Waxing means the light on the moon is increasing and the light will ALWAYS be on the RIGHT.
Waning means the light on the moon is decreasing and the light will ALWAYS be in the LEFT.

15. FOUR MAIN SHAPES
FULL
Four Basic Shapes
CRESCENT
GIBBOUS
QUARTER

17. Lunar Eclipses
Moon moves into Earth’s shadow – this shadow darkens the Moon
About 2-3 per year
Last up to 4 hours

18. Solar Eclipses Moon moves between Earth and Sun
Moon casts a shadow on part of the Earth
Total eclipses rare – only once every 360 years from one location!

19. The Tides
Not only does the moon cause eclipses but it also causes a change in the ocean tides.
Tides are caused by pull of Moon’s gravity on Earth

20. Exploring the Moon 1950s to 1960s – studied the moon with probes
Neil Armstrong First man on the Moon – July 20, 1969
Six Apollo missions ( )
12 Americans have walked on the moon

23. When will we return?

24. Moon base of the future?
What would you need to live there?

25. The Lunar Challenge!

26. Name this phase!
Full Moon

27. Name these features.
Craters
Maria
Name these features.

28. Does this image show us the near side or far side of the moon?
How can you tell?

29. Name this phase!
First Quarter

30. Name this phase!
Waxing Crescent

31. Does this image show the near side or the far side of the moon?

32. Name this phase!
Waning Gibbous

33. Name this phase!
Third Quarter

34. Name this phase!
Waxing Gibbous

35. Name this phase!
Waning Crescent

36. What might be happening in this image?
Lunar Eclipse

37. Name this phase!
Full Moon

38. Name this phase!
Waning Gibbous

39. Name this phase!
Waning Crescent

49. Photo resources http://www.nasm.si.edu/apollo/AS15/a15images.htm

50. More photo resources

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