Basic Facts
Earth’s only natural satelliteCreated 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)
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.
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)
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
BehaviorMoon appears to go through phases
(changes in size and shape)Phases created by the angle of the Sun,
moon and EarthSynodic Month —Time for Moon to go
through phases (29.5 days)Sidereal Month —Actual Revolution
around Earth (27.3 days)
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