1. 8 TH GRADE SCIENCE THE MOON

2. HOW WAS THE MOON FORMED? It is about 4.6 billions years old. (Same age as Earth) Scientists have measured the age of the moon rocks brought back. “Giant Impact” Theory The “moon” was formed by an impact from a planet smaller than Mars. Impact created particles that formed into the moon.

3. PROPERTIES OF THE MOON How far is the moon from the Earth? 238,900 miles or 384,000 kilometers.

4. STRUCTURE OF THE MOON Iron core Partially molten region Lithosphere/mantle (about 1000km thick) Near side crust- 65 km thick Far side crust- 150 km thick

5. STRUCTURE OF MOON

6. MOON ROTATE AND REVOLVE? Yes! It rotates and revolves. The moon turns once on its axis in the same time it completes one orbit around Earth. We only see the “front” side of the moon. Revolves around the Earth.

7. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES Diameter of the moon is 3,476 km Temperature- -193 C (night in polar regions) 111 C (day in equatorial regions) Atmosphere Basically none.

8. MOON FACTS Moon Facts Worksheet

9. SURFACE FEATURES Lunar Highlands Brighter than maria because the rocks are lighter in color and reflect more sunlight. Mountains are at the edges of maria. Mountain range- Western border of Mare Imbrium Mountains are as high as 5 kilometers (13 times the height of Empire State Building!)

10. LUNAR MOUNTAINS Lunar mountains were most likely formed from meteoroid impact.

11. SURFACE FEATURES Lunar Maria Latin for “seas” Made up of basalt

12. SURFACE FEATURES Lunar Craters Circular hollows on the moon Formed from meteoroid strikes Largest crater is Aitken Basin- 2100 km. Rims of craters are cliffs Named after famous people Einstein (scientist) Edison (inventor) Scobee (astronaut)

13. NEAR SIDE VS. FAR SIDE Near side- Hemisphere permanently facing the moon. The moon turns once on its axis in the same time it completes one orbit around Earth. Far side- Hemisphere that is not visible from Earth. Near side crust- 65 km thick Far side crust- 150 km thick, no marias