1. Characteristics and Basic Facts
The Moon
Characteristics and Basic Facts

2. Basic Facts Earth’s only natural satellite
Created approx. 4.6 bya (Impact Theory)
Considered to be a double planet system with Earth
Large size (2,200 miles diameter)
Close to Earth (220,000 miles on average)

3. Basic Facts continued….
Point of gravitational attraction between Earth and moon is called the barycenter
Gravitational attraction helps to create tides on Earth
We always see the same side of the moon from Earth due to its slow rotation.

4. Surface Features
Layered moon with crust, mantle and inner core (all solid)
Virtually inactive
No atmosphere, no erosion, no wind, water, ice, no change!!
Low gravity (1/6 of Earth)

5. Features continued…… Extreme temperatures
Sun Side= 212 °F
Dark Side= -150 °F
Highly cratered due to meteorite impact
Dark, low lying areas or craters called
Maria (seas)
Canyons called Rillies
Debris streaks from craters called Rays
Dust covering surface of moon called Regolith

6. Rilles

7. Maria

8. Rays

9. Regolith

10. Behavior Moon appears to go through phases (changes in size and shape)
Phases created by the angle of the Sun, moon and Earth
Synodic Month —Time for Moon to go through phases (29.5 days)
Sidereal Month —Actual Revolution around Earth (27.3 days)

11. Phases of the Moon Waxing: Moon appears to be increasing in size
Waning: Moon appears to be decreasing in size
Full Moon: Phase when all of the moon’s surface is visible
New Moon: Phase when none of the moon’s surface is visible

12. EARTH