The moon of the EARTH

What are the phases of the moon?

What affect does it have on the earth?

Important terms in Astronomy…

Rotation- • To spin around an axis

• Rotate• Like a ballerina or a

merry-go-round

Important Terms in Astronomy…

Revolution- • To go around an object in a curved path

• Revolve

Important Terms in Astronomy…

Orbit- • The path a body (such as a planet) takes in its revolution around another body (like the Sun).

How far away is the MOON?

• 380,000 km (about 239,000 miles)

• Moving away slightly each year (3.8 cm) less than 2 inches

What is a SATELLITE?

• A natural or man made object that revolves around a planet

• A natural satellite is a MOON

• Earth’s moon is also called LUNA

What is the moon doing out in space?

• Revolving around the Earth in a counterclockwise direction

• Rotating on its axis as it goes around the Earth

27 days to go through a complete cycle

• We always see the same side of the moon because…

• 27 days to complete 1 rotation on its axis

• 27 days to complete 1 revolution around the earth

Comprehension Check:

• 1. What does it mean when the earth REVOLVES around the sun?

• 2. What does it mean when the moon is ROTATING?

Where did the Moon

come from?

Giant Impact Theory

• Earth struck by large body, size of Mars.

• Part of body + Earth flung into space.

• Captured by gravity of Earth.