Download The Earth and Moon

THE EARTH AND MOON
WHAT IS A MOON?
• Moon- also known as a satellite, a
planet-like object that orbits around a
planet.
• Earth and Mars are the only terrestrial
(rocky) planets to have moons.
• All of the gas planets (Jupiter, Saturn,
Uranus, and Neptune) all have more
than one moon.
WHERE DID THE MOON COME FROM?
• Scientists have found evidence that the
moon was once an asteroid that
crashed into the Earth when it was
being made.
• The asteroid eventually pulled itself
away from the Earth, but the Earth’s
gravitational pull kept it orbit around
the Earth.
HOW DOES THE MOON MOVE?
• It takes about 29.5 days for the moon
to make 1 revolution around the Earth.
• The moon has a synchronous rotation
with the Earth.
• Synchronous Rotation- the Earth and
moon rotate in the same direction at
the same pace.
• That’s why we only see one side of the
moon at night. We can never see the
backside of the moon from Earth.
WHY DOES THE MOON HAVE PHASES?
• Phase of the Moon- the shape of the
illuminated (sunlit) portion of the moon
seen on Earth.
• The phases of the moon are produced
by the alignment of the moon and the
sun in the sky.
• The light from the sun is reflected on
the moon at different angles.
WHAT ARE THE MOON’S PHASES?
• New Moon- when the sun and moon are on the
same side of the Earth. The part of the moon that
is getting the sun’s light cannot be seen from
Earth.
• Full Moon- The moon and sun are on opposite
sides of the Earth. The part of the moon that is
getting sunlight is seen from the Earth
• Crescent- when the moon is less than half
illuminated.
• Quarter- when the moon is half illuminated.
• Gibbous- when the moon is more than half
illuminated.
• Waxing- when the right half of the moon
is illuminated. At the beginning of a moon
cycle.
• Waning- when the left half of the moon is
illuminated. Near the end of a moon
cycle.
WHY IS THE MOON SO IMPORTANT?
• It is believed to be responsible for the
Earth’s tilt.
• It has major control over the Earth’s
tides.
HOW IS THE MOON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EARTH’S
TILT?
• It is believed that the Earth’s tilt was
created as a result of the collision of
the moon into the Earth.
• The impact was so great that it literally
pushed the Earth’s axis.
• Without this collision, the Earth may
not have its tilt or its seasons.
HOW DOES THE MOON AFFECT THE TIDES?
• Tides are created because the Earth and moon are attracted
to each other.
• The moon tries to pull at anything on Earth to bring it closer,
but the Earth can hold onto everything except water.
• Since the water is always moving, the Earth cannot hold onto
it, and the moon is able to pull it.
• Each day there are 2 high tides and 2 low tides.
WHEN IS HIGH AND LOW TIDE?
• High Tide- occur when the moon is directly overhead
or overhead on the opposite side of the planet.
When the moon has the larges pull on the water.
• Low Tide- when the moon is 90° away (either left or
right) from the water.
• Other Tides
• Spring Tide- When the moon is full or new, the
gravitational pull of the moon and sun are combined.
At these times, high tides are very high and low tides
are very low.
• Neap Tide- During the moon’s quarter phases the
sun and moon work at right angles, causes the pull of
the water to cancel each other. The result is a small
difference between high and low tides.
WHAT CAUSES AN ECLIPSE?
• Solar Eclipse- When the moon passes
between the Earth and the sun.
• Lunar Eclipse- When the Earth passes
between the sun and the moon.
• Lunar and solar eclipses occur in pairs that
are normally 2 weeks apart.
• This is because the Earth, sin, and moon
must be aligned for an eclipse to occur.