Scribd
Upload
73 views2 pages

Earthsmoon

The Moon does not produce its own light, but rather reflects sunlight. Scientists hypothesize the Moon formed from debris left in a ring around Earth after an asteroid collision. Craters were formed by object impacts on the lunar surface, and are more prominent there than on Earth due to lack of erosion. Large flat areas called Maria formed when ancient lava flows covered impact sites. The Moon revolves around Earth in about 27 days, keeping the same face oriented towards our planet. The changing illumination of the Moon as seen from Earth defines its phases over a 29.5 day cycle, from new to waxing crescent to first quarter to waxing gibbous to full to waning gibbous to last quarter to waning c

Uploaded by

api-327567606
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
73 views2 pages

Earthsmoon

The Moon does not produce its own light, but rather reflects sunlight. Scientists hypothesize the Moon formed from debris left in a ring around Earth after an asteroid collision. Craters were formed by object impacts on the lunar surface, and are more prominent there than on Earth due to lack of erosion. Large flat areas called Maria formed when ancient lava flows covered impact sites. The Moon revolves around Earth in about 27 days, keeping the same face oriented towards our planet. The changing illumination of the Moon as seen from Earth defines its phases over a 29.5 day cycle, from new to waxing crescent to first quarter to waxing gibbous to full to waning gibbous to last quarter to waning c

Uploaded by

api-327567606
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Earths Moon

A. Seeing the Moon


1. Unlike the Sun, the Moon does not emit its own light.
2. The Moon seems to shine because it reflects light from the Sun.

B. The Moons Formation


1. Scientists hypothesize that the moon formed from rock that was in a ring
around Earth. This ring formed when an asteroid collided with an object about
the size of Mars.
2. Craters form when object collide into the surface of another object.
a. Light-colored streaks called rays extend in all directions from some
craters.
b. On Earth, wind, water, and plate tectonics have erased craters. The
moon has no wind, water, or plate tectonics.
3. Large, flat areas on the moon are called Maria. They formed after most
impacts on the Moons surface had stopped; lava flowed up through the
Moons crust and solidified, covering many craters and other features and
then solidifying.
4. Highlands are light colored areas on the Moons surface.

C. The Moons Motion


1. The amount of time it takes the Moon to revolve once around Earth is equal
the amount of time it takes the Moon to make one rotation. One revolution of
the Moon around Earth takes 27.3 days.
2. The near side of the Moon always faces Earth. The far side of the Moon
cannot be seen from Earth.

D. Phases of the Moon


1. A phase is the lit part of the Moon or a planet that can be seen from Earth.
a. Phases of the Moon change because of the motion of the Moon around
Earth.
b. A lunar cycle-the sequence of moon phases-takes 29.5 days to
complete.
2. More of the Moons near side is lit each night during the waxing phases.
a. After the first week of the lunar cycle, the Moons entire western half is
lit.
b. This phase is called the first quarter phase.
c. During the second week of the lunar cycle, when the Moons near side
is completely lit, it is at the full moon phase.
3. Less of the Moons near side is lit each night during the waning phases.
a. During the third week of the lunar cycle, only the eastern half of the
Moon is lit.
b. This phase is called the third quarter phase.
Earths Moon
c. At the end of the lunar cycle, you cannot see any of the lit side of the
Moon, which is called the new moon phase.

You might also like