Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following describes the appearance of the moon during the first quarter phase?
Which of the following describes the appearance of the moon during the first quarter phase?
What is the approximate duration of a lunar cycle?
What is the approximate duration of a lunar cycle?
During a full moon, what is the position of the Earth relative to the sun and moon?
During a full moon, what is the position of the Earth relative to the sun and moon?
Which event occurs when the Earth's shadow falls on the moon during a full moon?
Which event occurs when the Earth's shadow falls on the moon during a full moon?
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Approximately how much moon material did the Apollo missions bring back to Earth?
Approximately how much moon material did the Apollo missions bring back to Earth?
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What is the name for the side of the moon that is never visible from Earth?
What is the name for the side of the moon that is never visible from Earth?
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What causes the tides on Earth?
What causes the tides on Earth?
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What is the approximate age of the moon?
What is the approximate age of the moon?
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How does the moon generate the light we see at night?
How does the moon generate the light we see at night?
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What is the name of the moon's atmosphere?
What is the name of the moon's atmosphere?
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What causes the phases of the moon?
What causes the phases of the moon?
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Approximately what percentage of the Earth's mass does the Moon have?
Approximately what percentage of the Earth's mass does the Moon have?
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How long does it take the moon to complete one full orbit around the Earth?
How long does it take the moon to complete one full orbit around the Earth?
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What is a synchronous orbit?
What is a synchronous orbit?
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Which elements are present in the moon's crust?
Which elements are present in the moon's crust?
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Flashcards
Lunar Cycle
Lunar Cycle
The 29.5 day period during which the moon goes through all its phases.
Full Moon
Full Moon
The moon phase when the entire near side is illuminated and visible from Earth.
Waxing Crescent
Waxing Crescent
The moon phase where a thin crescent is visible on the right side.
Waning Gibbous
Waning Gibbous
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Perigee
Perigee
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Supermoon
Supermoon
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Dark Side of the Moon
Dark Side of the Moon
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Natural Satellite
Natural Satellite
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Formation of the Moon
Formation of the Moon
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Reflection of Light
Reflection of Light
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Thin Atmosphere
Thin Atmosphere
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Structure of the Moon
Structure of the Moon
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Synchronous Orbit
Synchronous Orbit
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Phases of the Moon
Phases of the Moon
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Distance to the Moon
Distance to the Moon
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Study Notes
Moon Formation and Characteristics
- The moon is Earth's only natural satellite, orbiting Earth.
- Estimated age: 4.6 billion years
- Origin: Believed to have formed from a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized object.
- It does not produce its own light but reflects sunlight.
- Approximately 1,080 miles in circumference.
- Mass is about 1.2% of Earth's mass.
- Thin atmosphere called an exosphere.
- Heavily cratered surface due to lack of atmospheric protection.
- Layers similar to Earth: crust, mantle, and core.
- Inner core: small, solid, iron-rich.
- Iron shell: liquid iron. Molten layer surrounds the iron core.
- Crust: Outer layer, 43-93 miles thick (variable). Composed of magnesium, calcium, uranium, and iron.
- Mantle: Lies beneath the crust, made of olivine and pyroxene.
Moon's Orbit and Rotation
- Distance from Earth: Approximately 239,000 miles.
- Circular orbital path around Earth.
- Orbital period: 27.32 days.
- Synchronous rotation: The same side of the moon always faces Earth.
Moon Phases
- Phases are caused by changing angles of sunlight reflecting off the moon.
- Phases are categorized and described based on the visible portion from Earth.
- Lunar cycle: 29.5 days
- Full moon: Earth is between sun and moon, casting a shadow during lunar eclipse.
- Phases: New moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, waning crescent.
Special Moon Features
- Only celestial body besides Earth humans have landed on.
- 12 American astronauts have walked on the moon.
- First moon walker: Neil Armstrong (Apollo 11, 1969).
- Apollo missions collected over 800 lbs of moon samples.
- Dark/far side of the moon not visible from Earth until 1968.
- Moon's gravity causes Earth's tides.
- Lunar weight is about 1/6 of Earth weight.
- Fifth largest moon in solar system.
- Cratered surface, largest crater: South Pole-Aitken basin (1,500 miles across, > 5 miles deep).
- Formed from asteroid impact soon after moon formation.
- Blue moon: Two full moons in one month.
- Perigee: Closest point in orbit.
- Apogee: Farthest point in orbit.
- Supermoon: Full moon at perigee.
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Description
Explore the fascinating details of the Moon, Earth's only natural satellite. This quiz covers its formation, structure, orbital characteristics, and how it interacts with our planet. Test your knowledge on its age, composition, and the unique features that make the Moon a captivating subject of study.
