Earth’s Moon Properties, features, phases and tides
Essential Questions: How can we describe features and properties of the Earth’s moon? How does the moon affect tides? How can we distinguish between lunar and solar eclipses?
Photo from Stardate.org Our moon is one of the largest moons in our solar system!
Moon Formation – Big Impact Theory The pieces were thrown into space, forming a ring around the damaged Earth. The ring debris eventually came together to form the Moon. The Moon formed about 4 billion years ago, when another small planet hit Earth. The small planet became a part of the Earth and pieces of Earth shot into space.
Moon Properties Rocky satellite ¼ diameter of Earth No significant atmosphere No liquid water but ice at poles No life
Question…ask your partner If the moon has no atmosphere to protect it, what do you think its surface looks like?
Can you identify these features? Check what your partner knows!
Features of Moon Surface divided into: -Maria (dark plains) -Highlands (higher, light areas) Craters – cause by objects impacting the surface of the moon Mountains – mostly on highlands Rilles – narrow valleys
What features are pictured here? Photo from NASA
With a partner… discuss Many of the craters on the moon that we see are from just after it’s formation- but we only see recently made craters on the Earth. Why would this be if they were both bombarded heavily with asteroids after formation?
With a partner… How long does a footprint in sand last on Earth? What might cause it to disappear? Neil Armstrong’s footprints can still be seen on the moon and will be for millions of years. WHY?
Moon Exploration 1610 – Galileo observed with telescope 1969 – first man on moon It took three days to fly there! Distance: 238,712 mi (384,400 km)
What is this feature called?
What mission put the first man on the moon? Apollo 11 View the moon's surface
Moon Phases The moon revolves around the Earth about once a month One half of the moon is always illuminated by the sun We see different parts of that half depending on Earth’s position
New Moon
Waxing Crescent Moon
First Quarter Moon
Waxing Gibbous
Full Moon
Waning Gibbous
Last Quarter
Waning Crescent
The Far Side of the Moon Due to gravity, the moon’s rotation equals the moon’s revolution around Earth. Results in the same side of the moon always facing Earth. Several other moons in the solar system also exhibit this.
Eclipses Solar- moon blocks the sun from Earth (moon is between us and Sun) Lunar- Earth blocks the sun from moon (Earth is between moon and Sun)
With a partner… What would this look like viewed from space?
Check your work! (Copy into NB)
Solar Eclipse Next total eclipse in 2017 for this area of US
Moon’s Shadow on Earth
Lunar Eclipse Next total eclipse in 2016 for this area of US.
Earth’s Shadow on Moon Can make moon look red…
Tides Gravitational pull of Moon and Sun on Earth Causes rise and fall of water Tides follow moon around Earth Animation
Tide (High) Bay of Fundy New Brunswick (photo by Greg Stott/Masterfile). Tide (Low) Bay of Fundy New Brunswick (photo by Greg Stott/Masterfile).
Spring (straight) Moon, Sun and Earth in line Very high and very low tides
Neap (ninety degrees) Moon, Sun and Earth at 90° Moderate tides
Spring Tide – Draw this!
Neap Tide - Draw This!
Essential Questions: How can we describe features and properties of the Earth’s moon? How does the moon affect tides? How can we distinguish between lunar and solar eclipses?