1. The MOON; Earth’s one and only natural satellite.

2. Lunar Overview Lunar Overview The moon is the fifth largest natural satellite in the Solar System. The moon is the fifth largest natural satellite in the Solar System. Its orbit is synchronous with the orbit of the Earth. Its orbit is synchronous with the orbit of the Earth. The same side of the moon is constantly facing the Earth. The same side of the moon is constantly facing the Earth. The moon cycles through Lunar Phases. The moon cycles through Lunar Phases. The moon is the second brightest appearing object in the sky to the sun, and receives its illumination by reflecting the light of the sun. The moon is the second brightest appearing object in the sky to the sun, and receives its illumination by reflecting the light of the sun.

3. Continued… The moon is the fifth largest natural satellite in the Solar System. The moon is the fifth largest natural satellite in the Solar System. Its orbit is synchronous with the orbit of the Earth. Its orbit is synchronous with the orbit of the Earth. The same side of the moon is constantly facing the Earth. The same side of the moon is constantly facing the Earth. The moon cycles through Lunar Phases. The moon cycles through Lunar Phases. The moon is the second brightest appearing object in the sky to the sun, and receives its illumination by reflecting the light of the sun. The moon is the second brightest appearing object in the sky to the sun, and receives its illumination by reflecting the light of the sun.

4. The Moons Orbital Properties The Moon orbits the Earth during a period of 27.322 days. The Moon orbits the Earth during a period of 27.322 days. Its inclination from the elliptical plane is 5.16 ̊̊, this leads to distinct eclipse seasons occurring approx. every five months. Its inclination from the elliptical plane is 5.16 ̊̊, this leads to distinct eclipse seasons occurring approx. every five months. Its average distance from the earth is 239,200 miles or 1.284 light seconds. Its average distance from the earth is 239,200 miles or 1.284 light seconds. Its eccentricity is 0.0554, where 0 is a perfect circle and 1 is a parabola. This means its orbit is distinctly elliptical. Its eccentricity is 0.0554, where 0 is a perfect circle and 1 is a parabola. This means its orbit is distinctly elliptical.

5. Synchronous Orbit The Moon orbits around the Earth every 27.3 days; and simultaneously around the Sun as Earth revolves around the Sun at a period of approximately every 365 days. The Moon orbits around the Earth every 27.3 days; and simultaneously around the Sun as Earth revolves around the Sun at a period of approximately every 365 days.

6. Lunar Phases The Moons appearance from Earth changes nightly this is because of the altering angles of the Earth, Moon, and the Sun. Changing from a new Moon, the side facing us receiving no light, to a full Moon, the side facing us being completely illuminated. The Moons appearance from Earth changes nightly this is because of the altering angles of the Earth, Moon, and the Sun. Changing from a new Moon, the side facing us receiving no light, to a full Moon, the side facing us being completely illuminated. At new Moon, the moon is between the Earth and the sun and at the full Moon, the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth than the sun. At new Moon, the moon is between the Earth and the sun and at the full Moon, the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth than the sun. From Earth, the lunar cycle, also called the Synodic period, takes 29.5 days to complete itself. From Earth, the lunar cycle, also called the Synodic period, takes 29.5 days to complete itself.

8. Lunar Landings There were thirteen Apollo missions. (Apollo 1, Apollo 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17) There were thirteen Apollo missions. (Apollo 1, Apollo 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17) Apollo 8 was the first manned mission; they were the first humans to orbit the moon. In 1968 they went around the moon 10 times Apollo 8 was the first manned mission; they were the first humans to orbit the moon. In 1968 they went around the moon 10 times July 20 th 1969 in the Apollo 11 mission the first humans set foot on the moon. They collected samples of lunar rock and soil On July 24 th the crews rocket splashed into the ocean of the cost of Hawaii. July 20 th 1969 in the Apollo 11 mission the first humans set foot on the moon. They collected samples of lunar rock and soil On July 24 th the crews rocket splashed into the ocean of the cost of Hawaii. Apollo number 17 was the last manned mission to the moon; December 12 th 1972. They used a Lunar Roving Vehicle, introduced during Apollo 15, to collect samples. Apollo number 17 was the last manned mission to the moon; December 12 th 1972. They used a Lunar Roving Vehicle, introduced during Apollo 15, to collect samples.

9. Physical Properties Mass: 7.3459 * 10^22 kg Mass: 7.3459 * 10^22 kg Mean Density: 3.344 g/cm^3 Mean Density: 3.344 g/cm^3 Gravity: 5.328 g/s^2 or 0.1656 g Gravity: 5.328 g/s^2 or 0.1656 g Average Radius: 1079.6 mi Average Radius: 1079.6 mi Equatorial Rotation: 10.359 Equatorial Rotation: 10.359

10. Geography or “Lunography” Maria ( singular ‘mare’) are the Moons most viewable landscapes. They would be similar to earth’s oceans. Maria was imprinted on the Moon by hot flowing lava 3 billion yrs ago. The Moon is covered by about 16% of the Earth but it is more abundant on the side of the Moon that can be seen from Earth. Maria ( singular ‘mare’) are the Moons most viewable landscapes. They would be similar to earth’s oceans. Maria was imprinted on the Moon by hot flowing lava 3 billion yrs ago. The Moon is covered by about 16% of the Earth but it is more abundant on the side of the Moon that can be seen from Earth. Highlands form the rest of the Moons surface. These are highly cratered, rugged areas that are mostly turned to rubble, called Bressia, by meteorites colliding. These parts date back 3.8 to 4.6 billion years ago- the age of the Moon according to rock dating and mineral tests. Highlands form the rest of the Moons surface. These are highly cratered, rugged areas that are mostly turned to rubble, called Bressia, by meteorites colliding. These parts date back 3.8 to 4.6 billion years ago- the age of the Moon according to rock dating and mineral tests. The Moon also has mountains with peaks reaching up to 4 to 5 kilometer. The mountains are mostly very jagged and steep, due to the lack of erosion on the moon. The Moon also has mountains with peaks reaching up to 4 to 5 kilometer. The mountains are mostly very jagged and steep, due to the lack of erosion on the moon.

11. Gravitational Pull The moons gravity has an effect in the Earths ocean tides. “Tide” refers to the rising and falling in sea level that occurs. The moon has a gravity that pulls on the Earth causing seas and other big bodies of water to go from high tide to low tide and back to high tide again. This happens approximately ever 12 hrs and 25 minutes. The attraction of Earth to the Moon causes the Earth to bulge in the center and wind and other currents creates waves. The moons gravity has an effect in the Earths ocean tides. “Tide” refers to the rising and falling in sea level that occurs. The moon has a gravity that pulls on the Earth causing seas and other big bodies of water to go from high tide to low tide and back to high tide again. This happens approximately ever 12 hrs and 25 minutes. The attraction of Earth to the Moon causes the Earth to bulge in the center and wind and other currents creates waves. There are two types or times periods of tides. In Spring tides which occur when the Sun and Moon are aligned the tides are more dramatic, higher highs and lower lows. When the Sun and Moon are not aligned this is when what are called neap tides happen; they are not as defined tides as the tides during Spring Tides. (These periods do not refer to the season, but again to when the Sun and Moon are aligned and when they are not.) There are two types or times periods of tides. In Spring tides which occur when the Sun and Moon are aligned the tides are more dramatic, higher highs and lower lows. When the Sun and Moon are not aligned this is when what are called neap tides happen; they are not as defined tides as the tides during Spring Tides. (These periods do not refer to the season, but again to when the Sun and Moon are aligned and when they are not.)

12. Creation Theories There are four basic scientific theories on how the Moon was formed. There are four basic scientific theories on how the Moon was formed. 1. Just like a planet- through the collecting of dust and gas when the Solar System was forming. 2. Asteroid Theory- states the Earths gravity captured the Moon and it became an orbiting satellite. 3. The “Fission Theory” says while Earth was forming it was spinning so fast that it split in two. 4. And the most accepted theory is that a Mars sized planet crashed into Earth during their early years and parts of Earth and the planet went flying and through gravity the pieces molded creating the Moon.

13. Other studies on the Moon The Moon, also sometimes referred to as “Luna” has been a fascination of man since the beginning ages. The Moon is also studied in Astrology, the study of the stars and space and it’s effect on Human behavior and history. The Moon has been a character in many stories, tales, songs, for many cultural beliefs give it special qualities. The Moon, also sometimes referred to as “Luna” has been a fascination of man since the beginning ages. The Moon is also studied in Astrology, the study of the stars and space and it’s effect on Human behavior and history. The Moon has been a character in many stories, tales, songs, for many cultural beliefs give it special qualities. It is often seen as a mystical object with spiritual associations. The Moon plays a role in the female menstrual cycle and thus, it is representative of the goddess and feminine characteristics. By some it is praised as a life giver and a source of light in the darkness. It is often seen as a mystical object with spiritual associations. The Moon plays a role in the female menstrual cycle and thus, it is representative of the goddess and feminine characteristics. By some it is praised as a life giver and a source of light in the darkness.

14. Conclusion Earth’s satellite, the Moon, is an object orbiting the Earth close to once a month. Every night, other than on a New Moon, the Sun illuminates a portion of the Moon creating a source of light, a sort of spot light and guardian of the Earth. Without the delicate balanced relationship between the Earth, the Sun, and The Moon life on Earth would be non-existent.. Or at least very different. It is a fascinating clump of space debris that is both scientifically vital and beautifully imaginative.

15. References http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=th e+moon http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=th e+moon http://www.kidscosmos.org/kid- stuff/moon-landing.html http://www.kidscosmos.org/kid- stuff/moon-landing.html http://www.kidscosmos.org/kid- stuff/moon-landing.html http://www.kidscosmos.org/kid- stuff/moon-landing.html http://www.synapses.co.uk/astro/moon3. html http://www.synapses.co.uk/astro/moon3. html http://www.synapses.co.uk/astro/moon3. html http://www.synapses.co.uk/astro/moon3. html http://home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/mo on/moontides/ http://home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/mo on/moontides/