The Moon

Question 1

Identify the moon’s principle features.

Answer 1

[See notes and think KFC]

Question 2

What is the diameter of the moon?

Answer 2

3,500km

Question 3

What is the rotational and orbital period of the moon?

Answer 3

27.3 days

Question 4

What is the distance from the Moon to Earth?

Answer 4

380,000km

Question 5

Why is the far side of the moon not visible from Earth?

Answer 5

The moon has a captured orbit

Because rotational period = orbital period

Question 6

How do astronomers know the appearance of the moon’s far side?

Answer 6

The far side was first viewed by a dual-lens camera on Lunik 1 in October 1959.
The first humans to see the far side were the Apollo 8 crew in December 1968.

Question 7

How does the far side differ from the near side?

Answer 7

1. Almost devoid of seas except Mare Orientale
2. No rilles
3. Mountainous, almost entirely highland
4. More cratered and therefore older rock

Question 8

Describe the lunar seas.

Answer 8

1. Darker grey rock
2. Iron rich basaltic rock
3. Smoother so younger rock

Question 9

Describe lunar highlands.

Answer 9

1. Lighter grey rock
2. Anorthosite - course-grained igneous rock
3. More cratered so older than mare

Question 10

What are the origins of the lunar seas?

Answer 10

1. Formed when meteors crashed into moon (which was not cooled yet because it was closer to the hot Earth)
2. Surface broke, lava burst forth
3. Lava filled basins

Question 11

Why are there no lunar seas on the far side?

Answer 11

Far side cooled before near side due to fact that it was far from earth. So the crust could not be broken by meteors

Question 12

What are the origins of craters?

Answer 12

1. Meteor impacts or asteroid impacts if large

2. Volcanic eruptions blasted holes into moon