1. The Moon

2. Facts about the moon… 1/6th of Earth’s gravity -12.5 magnitude
Light from moon is reflected light from the sun. 11%. The rest is absorbed.

3. Facts about the moon… No atmosphere No air No water
Extreme temperatures to 250!

4. Facts about the moon… Long days 14 Earth days/Earth nights
Smaller than the Earth
No sound

5. How did the Moon form? Impact-ejection hypothesis…or…The Big Whack!
1) Earth was hit by a large object (Mars size)
2) Debris from the impact went out to space (super-hot vapor)
3) Debris eventually formed moon over time due to gravity. (30,000 years)

6. Facts about the moon…
240,000 miles from the Earth

7. Moon Rotation
The Moon has a synchronous rotation with the Earth = we always see the same side of the moon.
27.3 day rotation

8. History of the Moon Used for hunting/farming Tides
Calendar “month” comes from moon.
Galileo identified light and dark areas…
Lots of folklore/mythology

9. Dark areas of the moon- thought they were oceans
Features of the Moon
Mare/maria (sea)
Dark areas of the moon- thought they were oceans
Dry lava beds

11. Highlands-Light areas of the moon. Ancient lunar crust.
Features of the Moon
Highlands-Light areas of the moon. Ancient lunar crust.
Named for famous mountain ranges on Earth (Alps)

13. Craters- from meteorite impacts. Named after famous scientists.
Features of the Moon
Craters- from meteorite impacts. Named after famous scientists.

14. Over time…
The moon was continually pelted with meteorites leaving it cratered
Last 3 billion years relatively quiet…
Now the moon is essentially dead

15. Space Exploration 6 U.S. Apollo missions from 1969-1972.
837 lbs of moon rock.
“The Eagle has landed”- Sea of Tranquility
Moon quakes

17. Powdery soil- from shattering rock during bombardment.
Neil Armstrong
July 20, 1969.
Powdery soil- from shattering rock during bombardment.

18. The footprints will always remain

19. Lunar Spud

20. Lunar Halo
Caused by ice crystals in the Earth’s atmosphere that are refracted in the light.

21. Moon Illusion

22. Harvest Moon
Full moon near the equinox.
Rises earlier than normal to give extra light for farmers.

23. Colored moon
Dust in the atmosphere refracts and makes the moon appear colored.