Moon Flashcards
What is the moon?
A natural satellite
Compare the Earth’s and Moon’s size
Earth: 7930 mi
Moon: 2160 mi
Compare the Earth’s and Moon’s tilt
Earth: 23.5
Moon: 7
Compare the Earth’s and Moon’s temperature
Earth: -73 to 48 C
Moon: -107 to 153 C
Compare the Earth’s and Moon’s atmosphere
Earth: Thick, mild greenhouse effect
Moon: None
Compare the Earth’s and Moon’s liquid water
Earth: At surface
Moon: Ice at poles in shadows
Describe the Moon’s temperature
Extreme temperature
Day = 130 C
Night = -190 C
How did the moon form?
Formed from impact of Mars-sized “planetsimal” on Earth, debris from both objects melted together to form the moon
When did the moon form?
4-5 billion years ago
What are Rolled?
Trenchlike valleys
What are Highlands?
Mountains up to 7500m tall
How were Craters formed?
- Meteorite impact on the moon
2. Volcanic action inside the moon
What is Maria?
Darkest part of lunar landscape
What was Maria originally thought to be?
Seas
How long does it take the moon to orbit the earth?
271/3 days
How long does it take for the moon to rotate?
27 days
What is a full moon?
When the moon is completely visible to us
What is a new moon
When the moon is completely invisible to us
Why does the same side of the moon always face the Earth?
The moon is also rotation
What is the far side of the moon like?
More craters, very few maria, thicker crust
Describe the full moon phase
The moon is fully illuminated
Describe the new moon phase?
The moon is not illuminated at all
Describe the waxing phases of the moon
The moon is growing in illumination
Describe the waning phases of the moon
The moon is shrinking in illumination
Describe the crescent phases of the moon
The phases where the moon is less than half illuminated
Describe the gibbous phases of the moon
The phases where the moon is more than half illuminated
Draw a diagram of the phases of the moon
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Describe a Lunar Eclipse
- Moon moves into the Earth’s shadow
- Happens 2 to 3 times per year
- Lasts 4 hours
Describe a solar eclipse
Moon moves between Earth and Sun and casts a shadow on part of the Earth
What is an Umbra?
The darker part of a shadow
What is a Penumbra?
The lighter part of the shadow
What are the 3 lunar eclipses?
- Penumbral LE
- Partial LE
- Total LE
Describe a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
The moon passes through Earth’s penumbral shadow
Describe a partial lunar eclipse
A portion of the moon passes through Earth’s umbral shadow
Describe a total lunar eclipse
The entire moon passes through Earth’s umbral shadow
What are the 3 types of solar eclipses?
- Partial
- Annular
- Total
Describe a partial solar eclipse
Part of the sun is covered by the moon
Describe a annular solar eclipse
The Sun’s center is covered by the moon, leaving its edges uncovered
Describe total solar eclipse
The Sun is completely covered by the moon
How does the moon cause tides?
The pull of the Moon’s gravity
Where is high tide?
On the sides facing the moon and on the side facing away from the moon
Where is low tide?
On the sides of the Earth
How often do the tides change?
Every 12hrs, and 25 1/2 mins
How many high tides and low tides are there in a day?
2 each per day
