4. The Moon

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Questions and Answers

What is the diameter of the Moon?

3,468 km (correct)

5,125 km

4,212 km

6,792 km

How often does the Moon orbit the Earth (sidereal month)?

Every 25 days

Every 27 1/3 days (correct)

Every 30 days

Every 28 days

When did the United States land six manned spacecraft on the Moon?

Between 1975 and 1978

Between 1969 and 1972 (correct)

Between 1965 and 1968

Between 1972 and 1975

Which side of the Moon was first photographed by the Russian built, Luna 3?

The far side Signup and view all the answers

Why doesn't the Moon have an atmosphere?

The Moon's gravity is too weak to hold onto an atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

The Moon is littered with craters, but the Earth is not. Explain why this is the case.

The Moon has no atmosphere to protect it from incoming objects Signup and view all the answers

The Moon has no surface tectonic activity, but it does have week 'moonquakes.' Explain the favored theory for the origin of these events.

The cooling and shrinking of the Moon's interior causes the crust to crack, resulting in moonquakes Signup and view all the answers

The lunar maria are thought to be younger than the rest of the Moon's surface (the highlands). What makes us suspect this? Is there a way to verify this?

The maria exhibit fewer impact craters, indicating their younger age. This can be verified by dating the rocks from the maria using radiometric techniques. Signup and view all the answers

When and how did the Moon form? List some of the evidence that supports this model.

The Moon formed 4.53 Ga through an immense impact on Earth by a Mars-sized protoplanet. The evidence includes the differentiation of the Earth's interior and the presence of lunar basalts. Signup and view all the answers

Is there economic incentive to harvest raw materials from the Moon for use on Earth? Can you think of another object in the solar system that might be a better target for exploration, if this is our motivation?

Yes, the Moon contains valuable rare earth elements. Mars might be a better target for exploration due to its potential for supporting human colonization. Signup and view all the answers

What was the first observed feature of the far side of the Moon?

More craters Signup and view all the answers

Which mission was the first to capture photographs of the far side of the Moon?

Luna 3 Signup and view all the answers

What was the significant achievement of the Apollo 15 mission?

First use of a lunar rover Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the near side of the Moon?

Mainly basaltic maria Signup and view all the answers

What is the average density of the Moon compared to Earth?

Lower average density Signup and view all the answers

What is the composition of the near side of the Moon?

Mainly basaltic Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of the Moon's surface craters?

Meteorite impacts Signup and view all the answers

What process contributes to the smoothing out of older craters on the Moon?

Space weathering by micrometeorites Signup and view all the answers

How many craters with a diameter of 1 km or more are suggested to be on the Moon?

Over 100,000 Signup and view all the answers

When did the physical study of the Moon begin?

1609 Signup and view all the answers

How were the Moon's craters demonstrated to be formed?

Meteorite impacts Signup and view all the answers

What causes violent temperature swings on the Moon's surface?

Lack of atmosphere and ocean Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Russian and American Exploration of the Moon

The Moon has no atmosphere or liquid water and experiences extreme temperatures, with daytime temperatures reaching 120°C and nighttime temperatures dropping to -175°C.
The far side of the Moon was first observed by the Russian space probe Luna 3 in 1959, revealing surface features different from the near side, including more craters, very few maria, and a thicker crust.
The Russian exploration of the Moon began in 1959 with various missions, including the first manmade object to escape Earth's gravity and approach the Moon (Luna 1) and the first photographs of the far side of the Moon (Luna 3).
The American Apollo program made significant achievements, including the first manned lunar orbit (Apollo 8), first human landing on the Moon (Apollo 11), and first use of a lunar rover (Apollo 15).
The near side of the Moon is characterized by maria, which are mainly basaltic in composition, while the far side consists of heavily cratered, rugged highlands made mostly of anorthosites.
The Moon's characteristics include a lower average density than Earth, no volcanoes, atmosphere, or oceans, and weaker gravity due to its smaller size.
The Moon's surface is pockmarked by over 100,000 craters, formed as a result of meteorite impacts, and covered with lunar regolith - dust and debris from fragmented rock and melted glass droplets.
Space weathering on the Moon occurs as micrometeorites and cosmic rays smooth out older craters and affect the appearance of newer ones.
Lunar maps suggest that there are over 100,000 craters with a diameter of 1 km or more, and the types of craters depend on the speed and size of the impacting object.
The physical study of the Moon began with Galileo Galilei's first lunar studies in 1609, outlined in his book Sidereus Nuncius (Starry Messenger), marking the development of observational astronomy.
The Moon's surface has no volcanoes, and the craters were formed by meteorite impacts, as demonstrated by G.K. Gilbert's experiments in 1892 using clay balls.
The Moon's surface experiences violent temperature swings due to the lack of atmosphere and ocean, ranging from over 120°C on the sunlit lunar equator to -175°C on the dark side.

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Description

Russian vs. American Moon Exploration Quiz: Test your knowledge about the Moon's surface, historical lunar missions, and key discoveries made by Russian and American space programs. Explore lunar geography, craters, temperature extremes, and significant achievements in space exploration.