1. The Moon Characteristics and Basic Facts

2. General Facts Earth’s only natural satellite Created approx. 4.6 bya (Impact Theory) Considered to be a double planet system with Earth  Large size (2,200 miles diameter)  Close to Earth (228,000 miles on average)

3. Basic Facts continued…. Point of attraction between Earth and moon is called the barycenter Helps to create tides on Earth We always see the same side of the moon from Earth, because its rotation and revolution are about the same

4. Features Layered moon with crust, mantle and inner core (all solid) Virtually inactive No atmosphere, no erosion, no wind, water, ice, no change!! Low gravity (1/6 of Earth)

5. Features continued…… Extreme temperatures  Sun Side= 212 °F  Dark Side= -150 °F Highly cratered—meteorite impact  Dark areas—craters/maria (seas)  Canyons—Rillies  Streaks from craters-- Rays  Dust covering moon—regolith

6. Behavior Moon appears to go through phases Phases created by the angle of the Sun, moon and Earth Synodic Month—Time for Moon to go through phases (29.5 days) Sidereal Month—Actual Revolution around Earth (27.3 days)

7. Phases of the Moon Waxing: Moon appears to be increasing in size Waning: Moon appears to be decreasing in size Full Moon: Phase when all of the moon’s surface is visible New Moon: Phase when none of the moon’s surface is visible

8. EARTH