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Questions and Answers
What is the diameter of the Moon?
What is the diameter of the Moon?
How often does the Moon orbit the Earth (sidereal month)?
How often does the Moon orbit the Earth (sidereal month)?
When did the United States land six manned spacecraft on the Moon?
When did the United States land six manned spacecraft on the Moon?
Which side of the Moon was first photographed by the Russian built, Luna 3?
Which side of the Moon was first photographed by the Russian built, Luna 3?
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Why doesn't the Moon have an atmosphere?
Why doesn't the Moon have an atmosphere?
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The Moon is littered with craters, but the Earth is not. Explain why this is the case.
The Moon is littered with craters, but the Earth is not. Explain why this is the case.
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The Moon has no surface tectonic activity, but it does have week 'moonquakes.' Explain the favored theory for the origin of these events.
The Moon has no surface tectonic activity, but it does have week 'moonquakes.' Explain the favored theory for the origin of these events.
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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 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?
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When and how did the Moon form? List some of the evidence that supports this model.
When and how did the Moon form? List some of the evidence that supports this model.
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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?
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?
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What was the first observed feature of the far side of the Moon?
What was the first observed feature of the far side of the Moon?
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Which mission was the first to capture photographs of the far side of the Moon?
Which mission was the first to capture photographs of the far side of the Moon?
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What was the significant achievement of the Apollo 15 mission?
What was the significant achievement of the Apollo 15 mission?
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What characterizes the near side of the Moon?
What characterizes the near side of the Moon?
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What is the average density of the Moon compared to Earth?
What is the average density of the Moon compared to Earth?
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What is the composition of the near side of the Moon?
What is the composition of the near side of the Moon?
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What is the primary cause of the Moon's surface craters?
What is the primary cause of the Moon's surface craters?
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What process contributes to the smoothing out of older craters on the Moon?
What process contributes to the smoothing out of older craters on the Moon?
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How many craters with a diameter of 1 km or more are suggested to be on the Moon?
How many craters with a diameter of 1 km or more are suggested to be on the Moon?
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When did the physical study of the Moon begin?
When did the physical study of the Moon begin?
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How were the Moon's craters demonstrated to be formed?
How were the Moon's craters demonstrated to be formed?
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What causes violent temperature swings on the Moon's surface?
What causes violent temperature swings on the Moon's surface?
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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.
