The Moon: Our Nearest Celestial Companion
What is the Moon?
•
A natural satellite
•
One of more than 96 moons in
our Solar System
•
The only moon of the planet
Earth
Birth of the Moon
•
“Born” 4-5 billion
years ago
•
Formed from impact
of Mars-sized
“planetesimal” on
Earth
•
Debris from both
objects melted
together to form the
Moon
The Moon’s Surface
•
No atmosphere
•
No liquid water
•
Extreme
temperatures
–
Daytime = 130
C
(265
°F)
–
Nighttime = -190
C
(-310
F)
•
1/6 Earth’s gravity
Lunar Features - Highlands
•
Mountains up to 7500 m
(25,000 ft) tall
Lunar Features - 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
Lunar Features - Maria
•
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
Maria
Craters
Does this photo show
us a limb or terminator
line?
Movements of the Moon
•
Revolution – Moon orbits
the Earth every 271/3 days
•
The moon rises in the east
and sets in the west
•
The moon rises and sets
50 minutes later each day
•
Rotation – Moon turns on
its axis every 27 days
•
Same side of Moon
always faces Earth
It’s Just a Phase
•
Moonlight is reflected
sunlight
•
Half the moon’s surface is
always reflecting light
•
From Earth we see
different amounts of the
Moon’s lit surface
•
The amount seen is called
a “phase”
Waxing and Waning
•
New moon
•
Waxing Crescent
•
First Quarter
•
Waxing Gibbous
•
Full moon
•
Waning Gibbous
•
Third Quarter
•
Waning Crescent
•
New moon
FULL
QUARTER
CRESCENT
GIBBOUS
FOUR MAIN SHAPES
Earth
Moon
Moon
Plane of earth’s orbit
Plane of lunar orbit
Lunar Eclipses
•
Moon moves into
Earth’s shadow – this
shadow darkens the
Moon
–
Umbra
–
Penumbra
•
About 2-3 per year
•
Last up to 4 hours
Solar Eclipses
•
Moon moves between
Earth and Sun
•
Moon casts a shadow
on part of the Earth
•
Total eclipses rare –
only once every 360
years from one
location!
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
Delve into the captivating world of the Moon, Earth's only natural satellite. From its surface features like highlands and craters to its movements and phases, discover interesting facts about this lunar body through detailed images and descriptions. Unveil the mysteries of the Moon's origin, composition, and significance in our Solar System.
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Presentation Transcript
The Moon A look at our nearest neighbor in Space! Free powerpoints at http://www.worldofteaching.com
What is the Moon? A natural satellite One of more than 96 moons in our Solar System The only moon of the planet Earth
The Moons Surface No atmosphere No liquid water Extreme temperatures Daytime = 130 C (265 F) Nighttime = -190 C (-310 F) 1/6 Earth s gravity
Lunar Features - Highlands Mountains up to 7500 m (25,000 ft) tall
Lunar Features - 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
Lunar Features - Maria See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available. 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
Craters Maria Does this photo show us a limb or terminator line?
Movements of the Moon Revolution Moon orbits the Earth every 271/3 days The moon rises in the east and sets in the west The moon rises and sets 50 minutes later each day Rotation Moon turns on its axis every 27 days Same side of Moon always faces Earth
Its Just a Phase Moonlight is reflected sunlight Half the moon s surface is always reflecting light From Earth we see different amounts of the Moon s lit surface The amount seen is called a phase
Waxing and Waning New moon Waxing Crescent First Quarter Waxing Gibbous Full moon Waning Gibbous Third Quarter Waning Crescent New moon last (third)quarter waning Moon moon orbit`s earth SUN gibbous moon crescent earth full moon new moon gibbous moon crescent waxing Moon first quarter
FOUR MAIN SHAPES Four Basic Shapes FULL CRESCENT GIBBOUS QUARTER
Earth Plane of earth s orbit Moon Plane of lunar orbit Moon
Lunar Eclipses Moon moves into Earth s shadow this shadow darkens the Moon Umbra Penumbra About 2-3 per year Last up to 4 hours
Solar Eclipses Moon moves between Earth and Sun Moon casts a shadow on part of the Earth Total eclipses rare only once every 360 years from one location!
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 minutes Low tide On sides of Earth
