The Moon MOON a natural satellite of a

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The Moon

The Moon

MOON: • a natural satellite of a planet • may vary widely in composition

MOON: • a natural satellite of a planet • may vary widely in composition

The Earth’s Moon • Lunar rocks brought back during Apollo missions found to be

The Earth’s Moon • Lunar rocks brought back during Apollo missions found to be 4. 6 billion years old…a clue to the age of the Earth and of our solar system…

Exploring the Moon • 1957: Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite

Exploring the Moon • 1957: Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite

Exploring the Moon… • 1961: Yuri A. Gagarin, Soviet cosmonaut, became first human in

Exploring the Moon… • 1961: Yuri A. Gagarin, Soviet cosmonaut, became first human in space • 1962: Project Mercury: Alan B. Shepard, Jr. , first American in space • Project Gemini: launched 2 -person crews

Apollo 11 • July 20, 1969 • First manned mission to land on the

Apollo 11 • July 20, 1969 • First manned mission to land on the moon • Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin

I. Formation of the Moon è Giant-Impact Hypothesis: § Mars-sized body struck the Earth

I. Formation of the Moon è Giant-Impact Hypothesis: § Mars-sized body struck the Earth early in its history § Collision caused an ejection of fragments into orbit around Earth § Fragments eventually joined to form the moon § Supported by silica-rich samples of moon rocks brought back by Apollo astronauts

 • Moon Impact Theory

• Moon Impact Theory

II. Movements of the Moon • The orbit of the moon around Earth is

II. Movements of the Moon • The orbit of the moon around Earth is an ellipse – Apogee: when the moon is furthest away from Earth – Perigee: when the moon is closest to Earth

ROTATION and REVOLUTION Periods are EQUAL • Revolution around the Earth: 27. 3 days

ROTATION and REVOLUTION Periods are EQUAL • Revolution around the Earth: 27. 3 days – Revolution around Earth creates moon phases and eclipses • Rotation on its axis: one rotation during each orbit around the Earth

A. Tides • The daily, periodic rise and fall of Earth’s water levels caused

A. Tides • The daily, periodic rise and fall of Earth’s water levels caused by the gravitational attraction between the Earth and moon • Two (2) high and low tides each day • Create a bulge of land water on one side of the Earth

SPRING TIDES: higher high tides and lower low tides at FULL and NEW moon

SPRING TIDES: higher high tides and lower low tides at FULL and NEW moon phases

 • During SPRING TIDES: • The SUN, MOON, EARTH form a LINE •

• During SPRING TIDES: • The SUN, MOON, EARTH form a LINE • To SPRING means: “to jump” or “to leap up”

 • NEAP TIDES: weak tides; tidal ranges at a minimum • occur during

• NEAP TIDES: weak tides; tidal ranges at a minimum • occur during QUARTER moons

B. Eclipses 1. SOLAR Eclipse: MOON is between the Earth and the Sun and

B. Eclipses 1. SOLAR Eclipse: MOON is between the Earth and the Sun and blocks out the Sun.

2. LUNAR Eclipse: EARTH is between the moon and the Sun and Earth’s shadow

2. LUNAR Eclipse: EARTH is between the moon and the Sun and Earth’s shadow blocks out the moon.

 • Eclipses

• Eclipses

What makes the moon shine?

What makes the moon shine?

III. Lunar Cycle: Phases of the Moon ØNEW Moon: moon is not illuminated (lit)

III. Lunar Cycle: Phases of the Moon ØNEW Moon: moon is not illuminated (lit) ØFULL Moon: full lighted circle • Earth is between the moon and the sun

ØWAXING Moon: size of the visible portion of the moon increases

ØWAXING Moon: size of the visible portion of the moon increases

ØWANING Moon: size of the visible portion of the moon decreases

ØWANING Moon: size of the visible portion of the moon decreases

Lunar Month • Synodic month: measured from new moon to new moon = 29.

Lunar Month • Synodic month: measured from new moon to new moon = 29. 53 days • Sidereal month: orbital period = 27. 32 days

Sidereal vs. Synodic Periods

Sidereal vs. Synodic Periods

 • Phases of the Moon

• Phases of the Moon