And Eclipses The Moon

What is the Moon? The moon is a natural satellite and reflects light from the sun. The moon is a natural satellite and reflects light from the sun. One of more than 96 moons in our Solar System One of more than 96 moons in our Solar System The only moon of the planet Earth The only moon of the planet Earth

Location, location, location! About 384,000 km (240,000 miles) from Earth About 384,000 km (240,000 miles) from Earth 3,468 km (2,155 miles) in diameter (about ¼ the size of Earth) 3,468 km (2,155 miles) in diameter (about ¼ the size of Earth)

The Moon’s Surface Almost no atmosphere Almost no atmosphere No liquid water No liquid water Extreme temperatures Extreme temperatures Daytime = 130  C (265°F) Nighttime = -190  C (-310  F) 1/6 that of Earth’s gravity 1/6 that of Earth’s gravity

Lunar Features - Highlands Mountains up to 7500 m (25,000 ft) tall Mountains up to 7500 m (25,000 ft) tall Trench-like valleys Trench-like valleys

Lunar Features - Craters Up to 2500 km (1,553 miles) across Up to 2500 km (1,553 miles) across Most craters were formed by meteorite impact on the Moon. Most craters were formed by meteorite impact on the Moon.

Lunar Features - Maria Originally thought to be “seas” by early astronomers Originally thought to be “seas” by early astronomers Maria’s are the darkest parts of lunar landscape Maria’s are the darkest parts of lunar landscape Mostly basalt rock Mostly basalt rock

Maria Craters Can you see the rays? Does this photo show us a limb or terminator line?

Movements of the Moon Revolution – Moon orbits the Earth every 27 1/3 days Revolution – Moon orbits the Earth every 27 1/3 days The moon rises in the east and sets in the west The moon rises in the east and sets in the west The moon rises and sets 50 minutes later each day The moon rises and sets 50 minutes later each day Rotation – Moon turns on its axis every 27 days Rotation – Moon turns on its axis every 27 days

Why don’t we ever see the far side of the moon??????

Far Side of the Moon First seen by Luna 3 Russian space probe in 1959 First seen by Luna 3 Russian space probe in 1959 Surface features are different from near side: Surface features are different from near side: More craters More craters Very few maria Very few maria Thicker crust Thicker crust

This line is called the Limb Line. (It is the line formed by the edge of the moon.) This line is called the terminator Line (it is the line the shadow makes).

13 starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/phases.html

It’s Just a Phase Moonlight is reflected sunlight Moonlight is reflected sunlight Half the moon’s surface is always reflecting light Half the moon’s surface is always reflecting light From Earth we see different amounts of the Moon’s lit surface From Earth we see different amounts of the Moon’s lit surface The amount of the moon seen is called a “phase” The amount of the moon seen is called a “phase”

Waxing and Waning New moon New moon Waxing Crescent moon Waxing Crescent moon First Quarter moon First Quarter moon Waxing Gibbous moon Waxing Gibbous moon Full moon Full moon Waning Gibbous moon Waning Gibbous moon Third Quarter moon Third Quarter moon Waning Crescent moon Waning Crescent moon New moon New moon

FULL QUARTER CRESCENT GIBBOUS FOUR MAIN SHAPES

Earth Moon Plane of earth’s orbit Plane of lunar orbit

19 Eclipses The Sun and Moon occasionally line up so that we have an eclipse. The Sun and Moon occasionally line up so that we have an eclipse. These eclipses happen every year These eclipses happen every year To see a solar eclipse, you need to be on a particular part of the Earth To see a solar eclipse, you need to be on a particular part of the Earth

Lunar Eclipses The Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the Sun’s light, and causing the moon to glow red.

Umbra – The dark inner portion of the shadow cone. Penumbral – the lighter outer portion of the shadow.

22 Three types of Lunar Eclipses Penumbral lunar eclipse—the Moon only passes through the penumbra of Earth’s shadow Partial lunar eclipse—part of the Moon passes through the umbra of Earth’s shadow Total lunar eclipse—the entire Moon passes through the umbra of Earth’s shadow Who on Earth will be able to see a lunar eclipse? Anyone who can see the Moon (anyone who is on the nighttime side of the Earth during the eclipse)

Lunar Eclipses During a Lunar Eclipse the moon moves into Earth’s shadow – this shadow darkens the Moon During a Lunar Eclipse the moon moves into Earth’s shadow – this shadow darkens the Moon About 2-3 per year. About 2-3 per year.

24 Why is the Moon red during an eclipse? The Earth’s atmosphere filters some sunlight and allows it to reach the Moon’s surface The blue light is removed—scattered down to make a blue sky over those in daytime Remaining light is red or orange Some of this remaining light is bent or refracted so that a small fraction of it reaches the Moon Exact appearance depends on dust and clouds in the Earth’s atmosphere

Total Lunar Eclipse – when the Moon passes completely into the Umbra, or total shadow of the Earth.

Partial Lunar Eclipse – Occur when the Moon does not fully move into the Umbra

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse – When the moon passes only through the penumbra, or partial shadow. They are barely visible.

28 Upcoming Lunar Eclipses Oct. 18, 2013, Penumbral eclipse Apr 15, 2014, TOTAL ECLIPSE –visible here

29 Solar Eclipses When the Moon’s shadow covers part of the Earth Only happens at New Moon Three types: Annular, Partial, and Total

Solar Eclipses Moon moves between Earth and Sun Moon moves between Earth and Sun Moon casts a shadow on part of the Earth Moon casts a shadow on part of the Earth Total eclipses rare – only once every 360 years from one location! Total eclipses rare – only once every 360 years from one location!

31 Total Solar Eclipse Observers in the “umbra” shadow see a total eclipse ;can see the corona. Those in “penumbra” see a partial. Only lasts a few minutes

32 Upcoming Solar Eclipses Nov. 13, 2012, total eclipse—not visible in USA May 10, 2013, annular eclipse—not visible in USA Next Total Solar Eclipse in continental USA—August 21, 2017 – Kentucky

How often do Eclipses Happen? That depends!! Lunar Eclipses happen more often than Solar Eclipses. Why? Well everyone who is experiencing nighttime during a lunar eclipse can see it. But you have to be at the exact spot on Earth to see a Solar Eclipse. The spot on Earth is so small, that the same place only sees a Solar Eclipse every 350 years!!

The Tides Tides are caused by the pull of Moon’s gravity on Earth. Tides are caused by the pull of Moon’s gravity on Earth. High tide – High tide – Side facing Moon and side directly opposite from the Moon. Every 12 hours 25 ½ minutes. Low tide – Low tide – On sides of Earth not in line with the moon.

Exploring the Moon 1950s to 1960s - probes 1950s to 1960s - probes Neil Armstrong First man on the Moon – July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong First man on the Moon – July 20, 1969 Six Apollo missions ( ) Six Apollo missions ( ) 382 kg (842 lbs) rocks 382 kg (842 lbs) rocks 12 Americans have walked on the moon 12 Americans have walked on the moon

Moon base of the future? What would you need to live there? What would you need to live there?

Name this phase! Full Moon

Name these features. Craters Maria

Does this image show us the near side or far side of the moon? Far Side How can you tell?

Is this line the limb or terminator? Limb Terminator

Name this phase! First Quarter

Does this image show the near side or the far side of the moon? Near Side

From what direction does the moon rise? The East

What might be happening in this image? Lunar Eclipse

Is this line the limb or the terminator? Limb

Name this phase! Full Moon

Name this phase! New Moon

Does the moon rise or set in the west? It sets in the west.