Properties of the Moon and how it moves

Butler Middle School

8th Grade Science

Bob, Paul, Ms. Adams, Nov 14, 2012

8th Grade Science

Visiting the Moon• There have been many visits to the moon from

earth– Most famous occurred between 1969-1972

– During this time there were 6 successful missions in which humans explored the surface and safely returned to earth

– Also, during the past 50-60 years there have been many un-manned, data collection missions

Moon compared to Earth

Diameter of earth = 4 x diameter of moon (8000 miles) (2000 miles)

Earth is about 86 x more massive than the moon

Gravity on moon is 1/6 of earths gravity60 pound dog on earth would weigh 10 pounds on moon

Moon compared to Earth (cont.)

• Moon is 240,000 miles from Earth

• Moon has no atmosphere

• Water was discovered on moon recently– Scientists believe some primitive life forms

may lie beneath the surface

Moon compared to Earth (cont.)

• Moon is very hot in sun, very cold in shade– Water would quickly boil in sun and quickly freeze in

shade

• Like the earth, the moon is illuminated by the sun– we see the moon because of reflected sun light

• Moon’s Surface is solid and dusty– many craters caused by the impact of meteoroids– mountains and highlands– low areas which are dark, called maria (Latin for seas)

The moon’s surface looks desolate and lifeless

Motion of the Moon

• Moon revolves around the earth– Once per 27.3 days

• Moon rotates slowly on its axis every 27.3 days

• Therefore, we only see one side of the moon from earth

Motion of Moon and Earthorbital plane of moon is tilted 5º from earth’s orbital plane

Earth and Moon from 4,000,000 miles

(Where is the sun?)

Earth and Moon from 31,000,000 miles

This amazing sequence of photos shows rotation of earth and motion of moon around earth

1

43

2

Abe and George Experiment

Abe always looks at Georgeas he revolves around him

For 1 rev aroundGeorge, how manycomplete rotationsdoes Abe make?

In this model, whatdo the penny and quarter represent?