Download The Universe - The Moon

The Universe: “The Moon” video notes
Astronomy
Name:
Period:
1. The Moon is what fraction the size of Earth? What is the temperature range on the moon?
One-quarter of the Earth diameter. Temperatures range from 270 above zero to 240 below zero.
2. How does the sky appear from the moon, even during the day? Why does it appear this way?
Even by day the sky appears black because there is no atmosphere (air molecules) to scatter light.
3. What are some of the dangers for astronauts on the Moon?
Vacuum of space, lack of oxygen, temperature extremes, solar radiation, meteriotes
4. What is responsible for creating the fine dusty surface layer called regolith?
Tiny meteriotes that hit the moon (no atmosphere to stop them) over 4 billion years breaks up rocks.
5. Explain how the maria (black areas) were created. (Discuss how meteors and lava relate to this.)
Large meteors impacted the Moon creating large basins that filled in with dark lava.
6. Even though the Moon does not have plate tectonics, it still has some mountain ranges. Explain how those
mountains were created.
Large meteors hit the Moon and force material outside the impact sites (basins) in rings. Therefore,
mountains on the moon are caused by external forces, not internal forces.
7. Explain how the Moon affects the Earth’s climate.
The Moon keeps the axial tilt nearly constant, so seasons are maintained.
8. What is the major flaw of the Co-accretion Theory for the Moon’s origin?
The theory suggests Earth and Moon grew at the same time from the same materials. But rocks brought
back from the Moon to Earth show lower iron content than Earth rocks. Also, the moon is less dense
since it doesn’t have an iron core compared to the Earth which does have an iron core.
9. The Moon is receding from the Earth at 3.8 cm/yr. How do astronomers measure this?
Small mirrors placed on the Moon so lasers can shine to the Moon and back to Earth.
10. What is the major flaw of the Fission Theory for the Moon’s origin?
The present movements of Earth and Moon do not fit the predicted movement from the theory. The
Earth would have been spinning too fast to account for its current rotation rate.
11. What is the major flaw of the Capture Theory for the Moon’s origin?
There is no obvious resisting medium to slow down an object as big as the Moon for capture.
12. What type of rock did the astronauts bring back from the moon? Are these types found on Earth?
Basalt and breccia rocks were found. Basalt are found on Earth (Hawaii) but breccia are not.
13. How are Moon rocks different from Earth rocks? How are they similar?
Moon rocks lack volatile elements (water, potassium) because they are parched. The isotopes in the rocks
are very much alike.
14. Outline the major points of the Giant Impact Theory.
• Large impact craters suggest 100-mile wide asteroids.
• Computer simulations of accretion show other planetary bodies could have been near Earth during
creation.
• The difference in iron core suggests the moon formed when an object the size of Mars impacted the
Earth, and material from the collision coalesced to form the Moon.
• Most of iron from impact is collected by Earth and not by the Moon. Evidence of the impact on Earth is
hidden by smaller, later impacts and Earth’s gravitational pull.
15. List some reasons why the United States wants to return to the Moon.
• Further studies of the moon.
• Provide a base for training astronauts to live in space long term.
• Provide a more efficient launch point to travel to Mars.