Earth’s Moon
Chapter 19 Section 4
Pages 659-664
Lunar Specs
• ¼ Earth’s
Diameter
• Density is similar
to Earths.
• Gravity is 1/6 of
Earths.
• Moon rotation=
the orbit period
– We see the same
side of the moon.
Features of the Moon
Features of the Moon
Maria:
Latin for seas
Galileo thought
they might be
oceans. They
are dry areas
that were once
flooded with
molten
material.
Basaltic Rock.
A. Sea of Serenity
B. Sea of Tranquility
-Apollo 11
Features of the Moon
Highlands:
Brighter regions of the moon.
Lighter in color
Craters: round
pits that cover the
moon. Created by
meteoroid impacts
Maria:
Highlands:
Latin for seas
Galileo thought
they might be
oceans. They are
dry areas that
were once flooded
with molten
material.
Basaltic Rock.
Brighter regions of
the moon.
Features of the Moon
A. Sea of Serenity
B. Sea of Tranquility
-Apollo 11
Lighter in color
Craters: round
pits that cover the
moon. Created by
meteoroid impacts
Impact Theory
The Moon’s Origin
1. A large object struck
Earth.
2. Material from Earth’s
outer layer is broken off
by the collision.
3. Material from the
object and Earth is
thrown out into orbit.
4. Material in orbit forms
the Moon.
Race to the Moon
• In 1961 John F.
Kennedy launched an
enormous Space
Exploration and
Scientific Research
Program
Missions to the Moon
Exploring the Moon – 1964- 1972
US and Soviet Union sent rockets to the Moon.
Surveyor was the first Lunar Landing.
Missions to the Moon
The Moon Landings- Apollo 11 1969
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldren were in the Lunar
Module The Eagle.
Michael Collins stayed in the Command Module
July 20th 1969 “The Eagle has Landed”
Apollo missions studied the surface of
the moon by collecting lunar rocks and
regolith (lunar soil).
The Space Shuttle
Developed by NASA
A reusable space craft.
First Launch 1981
Challenger
Exploded 2 minutes after life off
Crew of 7
Columbia
Space Stations
-A large satellite in which people can live for
long periods.
-1. Salyat- 1971 Soviet
-2. Skylab 1973- US
-3. Mir- 1986 Soviet
-4. International Space Station- an
international effort.
-Used to conduct research and
experiments in space.