The Moon 2 1 Earths Moon is the largest in size in relation to - PDF document

1 The Moon 2 1

Earth’s Moon is the largest in size in relation to its object, except for Pluto/Charon • The Moon is ¼ radius of Earth • 1/80 the mass of Earth 3 4 2

5 Light from Moon takes 1.3 seconds to reach Earth 6 3

Sizes and distances to scale: 7 8 4

9 10 5

11 12 6

Features of the Moon 13 Near Side 14 7

Far Side 15 NASA’s 3-D Model https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/2366/earths-moon-3d-model/ 16 8

Formation of the Moon 17 Formation of the Moon Scientists want to explain certain facts: • Orbit of the Moon • Composition of the Moon similar to Earth’s mantle (not crust or core) • Features of the Moon like Aitken basin, craters and maria (of basalt – cooled lava) Note: this is ongoing research as we explore and observe and collect data about the Moon. 18 9

19 Formation of the Moon Main Theories: • Capture Theory – Moon formed elsewhere and was “captured” into orbit by Earth • Fission Theory – Moon “split off” from Earth • Condensation Theory – Earth and Moon “condensed” out of the same matter • Giant-Impact Theory – large body collided with Earth, ejecting the moon 20 10

Capture Theory 21 Fission Theory 22 11

Condensation Theory 23 Giant-Impact Theory 24 12

Giant-Impact Theory 25 26 13

27 Moon Evolution 28 14

29 30 15