The Moon

moon

a body that is smaller than a planet and orbits the planet

satellite

a object in orbit around a body with a larger mass

Sputnik I

Soviets in 1956

Explorer I

1st satellite launched by the US

6 Apollo spacecrafts

the number of Apollo spacecrafts the US sent to the moon between 1969-1972

moon’s gravity

not strong enough to hold gases so there is no atmosphere

134 °C

daytime temperature on the moon’s surface

-170 °C

nighttime temperature on the moon’s surface

27.3 days

moon’s rotational period around Earth

29.5 days

the number of Earth days 1 lunar day is on the moon

240,000 miles

distance from Earth to the moon

light areas

rough highlands composed of light colored rock (hills)

Maria

dark areas that are smooth and reflect little light (once lava)

Rilles

long, deep channels that run through the Maria (looks like dry riverbeds)

craters

bowl shaped depressions formed 4 billion years ago, from debris when solar system was formed

large craters

named for famous scholars and scientists (ex: Tycho and Copernicus), in addition to millions of smaller craters

ray

when crater forms, the displaced material settled in streaks that extend outward