Identify the moon’s principle features.
[See notes and think KFC]
What is the diameter of the moon?
3,500km
What is the rotational and orbital period of the moon?
27.3 days
What is the distance from the Moon to Earth?
380,000km
Why is the far side of the moon not visible from Earth?
The moon has a captured orbit
Because rotational period = orbital period
How do astronomers know the appearance of the moon’s far side?
The far side was first viewed by a dual-lens camera on Lunik 1 in October 1959.
The first humans to see the far side were the Apollo 8 crew in December 1968.
How does the far side differ from the near side?
- Almost devoid of seas except Mare Orientale
- No rilles
- Mountainous, almost entirely highland
- More cratered and therefore older rock
Describe the lunar seas.
- Darker grey rock
- Iron rich basaltic rock
- Smoother so younger rock
Describe lunar highlands.
- Lighter grey rock
- Anorthosite - course-grained igneous rock
- More cratered so older than mare
What are the origins of the lunar seas?
- Formed when meteors crashed into moon (which was not cooled yet because it was closer to the hot Earth)
- Surface broke, lava burst forth
- Lava filled basins
Why are there no lunar seas on the far side?
Far side cooled before near side due to fact that it was far from earth. So the crust could not be broken by meteors
What are the origins of craters?
- Meteor impacts or asteroid impacts if large
2. Volcanic eruptions blasted holes into moon
