The Moon Earths Natural Satellite What is a

The Moon – Earth’s Natural Satellite

What is a satellite? �Satellite – an object that orbits a more massive object Ex: The Moon Ex: Moons of other planets �Many of the planets have satellites

�The moon stays in place because of Earth’s gravity �There is 240, 000 miles separating Earth and the Moon About the size from New York to LA 100 times If a plane took us to the moon it would take us 20 days It took space ships about three days �We only see one side of the moon

Why do we see only one side of the moon? �The moon is revolving around us and rotating on its axis…. �It takes 27. 3 days to make one revolution and 27. 3 days to make one rotation, so only one side is ever facing us.

Different Parts of the Moon �The side of the moon that we see is referred to as the near side of the moon Most of this side of the moon is the dark colored features, with some white features �The side looking away from Earth is called the far side of the moon Most of this side of the moon is a light color with very few black spots

Sides of the Moon

Layers of the Moon �Crust, just like earth it is only about 40 miles thick �Mantle, makes up most of the Moon, made of iron and magnesium �Core, material from here did not reach the Moon’s surface, so we do not know much about it.

Parts of the moon �Mare – The dark area on the moon The Latin word for sea �Highlands – The light colored areas on the moon These areas are higher in altitude than mare �The moon has no atmosphere

Craters �The highlands on the moon have many round features on them, these are called impact craters Space “junk” hit the moon and left these holes These collisions happened quite frequently when the solar system was forming, not as frequently today

Craters �Some impact craters filled with molten rock, or lava from beneath the Moon’s surface The lava eventually filled some of the craters, hardened, and this is what we see as mare

How did it form? �Earth and Moon have similar crusts and mantles. �Scientists think that two space bodies hit each other. 1. Most of the material formed Earth’s core 2. Little bits and pieces formed Earth and Moon’s crust and mantle 3. Pieces that were left formed into the moon and started to orbit earth �Happened quickly – only about a year!