1. The Moon

2. Goal of the class To understand the features of the moon
Question of the day: How are the tides on earth caused?
Previous answer: The star (sun) gives lights to the planets and the moon and it’s reflected from the surface to Earth
Previous Question of the day: What gives the light to planets and the moon?

3. What is the Moon? A natural satellite
One of 168 moons in our Solar System
The only moon of the planet Earth
As of October 2008, there are 176 known natural moons orbiting planets in our Solar System. 168 moons orbit the "full-size" planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), while 8 moons orbit the smaller "dwarf planets" (Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris).

4. Moon Facts 12,756.3 km diameter 23 degree axis tilt (seasons!)
Surface temps : -73 °C to 48 °C
Thick atmosphere, mild greenhouse effect
Liquid water – lots! - at surface
3476 km diameter
7 degree tilt (~no seasons)
Surface temps: –153 °C to 107 °C
No atmosphere
No liquid water … Ice at poles in shadows?

5. How did the moon form?
There are a number of theories about where the moon came from but this is my favourite!

6. The Moon’s Surface No atmosphere No liquid water Extreme temperatures
Daytime = 107 °C
Nighttime = -153 °C
1/6 Earth’s gravity
As of October 2008, there are 176 known natural moons orbiting planets in our Solar System. 168 moons orbit the "full-size" planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), while 8 moons orbit the smaller "dwarf planets" (Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris).

7. The Moon’s Features The moon is covered with millions of 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
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
Remember sea of tranquility

8. Craters
Maria

9. 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

10. Moon Shapes
FULL
CRESCENT
GIBBOUS
QUARTER

11. The Tides Tides caused by pull of Moon’s gravity on Earth High tide
Side facing Moon and side away from Moon
Every 12 hours, 25 ½ minutes
Low tide
On sides of Earth

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

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

15. Dreamworks image