Moon and Earth
Make a Comparison Chart
Moon
Both
Earth
The Moon
• The moon is the
Earth’s only natural
satellite.
The Moon
• The same side of the
moon always faces the
Earth because it
rotates in the same
amount of time that it
revolves.
Rotation
• Rotation is the spinning of a planet or moon on
its axis.
Revolution
• Revolution is one complete trip of a planet around
the sun or the moon around Earth.
Moon Phases
• The moon looks different at different times of
the month.
• The moon does not change it’s shape, what
changes is the part f the moon that reflects
light from the sun to Earth.
Moon Phases
• The moon orbits (revolves) Earth about once
every 28 days (about once a month).
• This is called a lunar cycle.
• The moon revolving around Earth causes moon
phases.
Moon Phases
Earth’s Season’s
• The Earth is
tilted on it’s
axis 23 ½
degrees.
Because of
this tilt Earth
has different
seasons.
The Moon
• The moon is about ¼ the size of Earth.
The Moon
• The Earth’s tides are
caused by the moon’s
gravitational pull.
The Moon
• The moon has no light of it’s own. It reflects light
from the sun.
The Moon
• The moon has no
atmosphere, no air,
no water, and no life.
• The moon’s surface is
rocky with many
craters and
mountains.
Moon vs. Earth
• The moon’s surface
has no water.
• Its surface consists of
craters, rocks, and
dust.
• The moon has no
atmosphere.
• It also has more
craters because there
is no weathering and
erosion.
• The Earth’s surface is
72% water.
• Its surface consists of
water, soil, and rocks.
• The Earth’s
atmosphere is made
up of hydrogen and
methane gases.
• The Earth’s
atmosphere protects
it from the extreme
heat and cold.
Moon vs. Earth
• The moon revolves
around the Earth in
about 28 days.
• The moon rotates on
its own axis in the
same amount of time.
• Therefore, the same
side of the moon
always faces the
Earth.
• The Earth revolves
around the Sun in
365 ¼ days.
• The Earth rotates on
its own axis in 24
hours.
Eclipses
• An eclipse happens
when one object in
space casts a shadow
on another object in
space.
Lunar Exploration
• Apollo 11 landed on the
moon July 20, 1969 with
Neil Armstrong, Edwin
“Buzz” Aldrin, and
Michael Collins.
• Neil Armstrong was the
first person to set foot on
the moon.
• His famous statement
made as stepping onto
the lunar surface was,
“That’s one small step for
man, one giant leap for
mankind.”
Check Comparison Chart
Moon
•No Water
•No Atmosphere
•Silent
•No weathering
or erosion
•¼ size of Earth
Both
•Have rocks,
craters, and
valleys
•Iron core
•Both have/had
volcanic activity
•Revolve and
rotate
Earth
•Tides are caused
by the moon’s
gravitational pull
•Surface is 72%
covered by water
•Atmosphere is
hydrogen and
methane gases
•Weathering and
erosion are caused
by wind, rain, and
ice
Questions
How can you compare the size
of the Earth and the Moon?
The moon is ¼ the size of Earth
How do the atmospheres
compare?
Earth has an atmosphere and
the moon does not. There is
air, water, and life on Earth and
not on the moon. There is no
weathering and erosion on the
moon.
How can you describe the
surface of the moon and how it
relates to the Earth?
The surface of the moon is
rocky with many craters. The
Earth is also rocky but with
fewer craters due to weathering
and erosion and is mostly water.
What is the difference between
phases and seasons?
Phases are caused by the moon
revolving around Earth and
occur every 28 days.
Seasons are caused by the tilt
of Earth on it’s axis and occur
every 365 days.
What causes an eclipse?
An object in space casting a
shadow on another object.
Why do we always see the
same side of the moon?
The moon rotates and revolves
in the same amount of time
What causes tides?
The moon’s gravitational pull