1. The Earth’s Moon The Earth’s Moon

2. Satellites Definition: Any body that orbits a larger body Definition: Any body that orbits a larger body 1957: First artificial satellite, Sputnik, launched by the Soviets 1957: First artificial satellite, Sputnik, launched by the Soviets Earth’s only natural satellite is the moon. Earth’s only natural satellite is the moon.

3. The Moon Force of gravity is 1/6th that of Earth’s. Force of gravity is 1/6th that of Earth’s. Because of less gravity, it has no atmosphere; therefore it has no weather Because of less gravity, it has no atmosphere; therefore it has no weather Lack of atmosphere also means that there is a huge temperature range: 134 degrees C in the day, -170 degrees C at night Lack of atmosphere also means that there is a huge temperature range: 134 degrees C in the day, -170 degrees C at night

4. The Moon Your weight would change, but not your mass!! Your weight would change, but not your mass!! 1969-1972: The US sent 6 Apollo missions to the moon 1969-1972: The US sent 6 Apollo missions to the moon Moon rotates once every 27.3 days, but appears to take 29.5 days. Moon rotates once every 27.3 days, but appears to take 29.5 days. Venus is 100 times more distant than the moon! Venus is 100 times more distant than the moon!

5. Click here to see an Apollo 11 panorama Click here to see an Apollo 11 panorama Click here to see an Apollo 11 panorama Click here to see an Apollo 11 panorama

6. The Lunar Surface Maria: dark areas on the moon; made of solidified lava Maria: dark areas on the moon; made of solidified lava Highlands: light areas Highlands: light areas Craters: bowl-shaped depressions, most from the moons early formation; named for famous scientists Craters: bowl-shaped depressions, most from the moons early formation; named for famous scientists Rays: streaks that extend from the impact sites Rays: streaks that extend from the impact sites

7. Maria

8. Click here for a crater pic and explanation

9. Rayed crater Copernicus Rayed crater Tycho

10. Lunar Rocks Most of the surface is covered in regolith (layer of dust and rock) from meteorite impact Most of the surface is covered in regolith (layer of dust and rock) from meteorite impact Moons rocks are similar to Earth rocks Moons rocks are similar to Earth rocks

11. Interior of the Moon Less dense than the interior of the Earth Less dense than the interior of the Earth Crust is thinner on the Earth-facing side Crust is thinner on the Earth-facing side Beneath the crust is the mantle (silica, iron and magnesium); lower portion may be molten Beneath the crust is the mantle (silica, iron and magnesium); lower portion may be molten May have a small iron core May have a small iron core

12. Where did the moon come from, anyway? Giant impact theory: formed when a Mar-sized object struck the Earth Giant impact theory: formed when a Mar-sized object struck the Earth Fragments ejected from the Earth (mostly less dense crust and mantle) Fragments ejected from the Earth (mostly less dense crust and mantle) Supported by moon rock Supported by moon rock Explains why the moon is less dense than the Earth Explains why the moon is less dense than the Earth

13. Where did the moon come from, anyway? 2nd phase: moon was covered with molten lava – densest material moved to the center 2nd phase: moon was covered with molten lava – densest material moved to the center 3rd phase: meteorite impact “punches” through thin crust; liquid rock seeps through 3rd phase: meteorite impact “punches” through thin crust; liquid rock seeps through Current phase: less loose material in solar system; only rayed craters form Current phase: less loose material in solar system; only rayed craters form