2. The Lunar Disc Flashcards
What is the shape of the moon, and why?
Oblate spheroid, because the polar diameter is 4 km smaller than its mean diameter
What is the mean diameter of the moon?
3500 km
What are craters and how were they formed?
Lunar craters were formed by meteorioids striking the lunar surface, causing shockwaves which compressed the surface material to leave a large cavity. Subsequent ‘rebound’ splattered material in all directions, called ejecta, created the bright streaks that we see as rays
What are maria and how are they formed?
They are dark grey, relatively smooth seas (in Latin: maria, or singular mare) of volcanic basalt rock.
What are terrae, and how are they formed?
They are lighter grey, mountainous, highly cratered highlands (in Latin: terrae, or singular terra).
What are mountains and how are they formed?
What are valleys and how are they formed?
Identify sea of tranquility, ocean of storms, sea of crises, tycho, copernicus, kepler, and Apennine Mountain range
What are the rotation and revolution (orbital) periods of the moon?
The moon revolves around the Earth once, and rotates on its axis by 360° in 27.3 days.
Synchronous nature
Lunar libration
