Take your kids on an intergalactic tour to the moon with our educational array of facts! You’ll introduce them to new and interesting information about the moon’s surface and structure or develop their existing knowledge by building on topics such as gravity and the moon’s influence on the tides. With all this information right at your fingertips, we’ve made it easier than ever to immerse your students in a day of lunar learning.
1. Formation
The Moon likely formed about 4.5 billion years ago, not long after Earth. It’s believed to have been created from the debris left over after a giant impact between Earth and a Mars-sized body called Theia. This theory explains why the Moon’s composition closely resembles that of Earth’s crust.
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2. Distance from Earth
The average distance from the Moon to Earth is about 238,855 miles (384,400 kilometers). This distance varies because the Moon’s orbit around Earth is elliptical, not perfectly circular. It’s close enough to have a significant gravitational effect, influencing tides on Earth.
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3. Size Comparison
The Moon is much smaller than Earth, with a diameter of about 2,159 miles (3,474 kilometers). This makes the Moon about 1/4 the size of Earth, making it one of the solar system’s largest natural satellites relative to its planet. Despite its smaller size, it appears large in the sky due to its proximity to Earth.
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4. Surface Gravity
The Moon’s surface gravity is only 1/6th that of Earth’s. This means that if you weigh 180 pounds on Earth, you would weigh only 30 pounds on the Moon. The low gravity is due to the Moon’s smaller mass compared to Earth.
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5. No Atmosphere
The Moon has a very thin atmosphere called an exosphere, which is not substantial enough to support human life. This lack of atmosphere means there’s no weather or wind on the Moon. It also results in extreme temperature variations, as there’s no air to buffer the sun’s heat or retain warmth during lunar night.
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6. Lunar Phases
The Moon goes through phases because of its orbit around Earth, changing from new moon to full moon in a cycle of about 29.5 days. These phases occur as the Moon’s position relative to Earth and the Sun changes. The phases include new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent.
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7. Tidal Effects
The Moon’s gravitational pull has a major impact on Earth’s tides. It creates two bulges of water on Earth’s surface, one where the Moon’s gravity is strongest and one on the opposite side of Earth. These bulges move around Earth as it rotates, causing high and low tides.
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8. Lunar Eclipses
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. There are two types: a total lunar eclipse, where the Moon falls entirely within Earth’s umbral shadow, and a partial lunar eclipse, where only part of the Moon enters Earth’s shadow. Lunar eclipses only happen during a full moon.
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9. Synchronous Rotation
The Moon rotates on its axis in about the same time it takes to orbit Earth, known as synchronous rotation. This results in the same side of the Moon always facing Earth, commonly referred to as the “near side.” The opposite side, not visible from Earth, is called the “far side” or “dark side” of the Moon, though it does receive sunlight.
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10. Cratered Surface
The Moon’s surface is heavily cratered and pockmarked with impact craters from meteoroids, asteroids, and comets. These craters have remained largely unchanged for billions of years due to the Moon’s lack of atmosphere and geological activity. The largest crater, the South Pole-Aitken basin, is about 1,550 miles (2,500 kilometers) in diameter.
Learn More: Lunar and Planetary Institute
11. Lunar Maria
The lunar maria are large, dark, basaltic plains on the Moon, formed by ancient volcanic eruptions. They are less cratered than the highlands and appear darker due to their iron-rich compositions. Maria covers about 16% of the lunar surface, mostly on the near side.
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12. Moonquakes
Moonquakes are seismic events on the Moon, similar to earthquakes on Earth. They occur due to tidal stresses from Earth’s gravitational pull, meteorite impacts, and thermal expansion of the lunar surface as it goes from extreme cold to extreme heat. These quakes can last for up to an hour and are much less intense than earthquakes.
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13. Lunar Exploration
Human exploration of the Moon began in the 20th century with the Apollo program of NASA. Apollo 11 was the first manned mission to land on the Moon in 1969, with astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on its surface. Since then, numerous missions have explored the Moon, including orbiters, landers, and rovers from various space agencies.
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14. Water Ice on the Moon
In 2009, NASA confirmed the presence of water ice in the permanently shadowed craters at the Moon’s poles. These areas are so cold that water ice can exist there for billions of years. This discovery is significant for future lunar exploration and potential lunar bases.
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15. The Moon’s Axis Tilt
The Moon’s axis is tilted by about 1.54 degrees relative to Earth’s orbit. This tilt is much smaller compared to Earth’s 23.5-degree tilt. Due to this minimal tilt, the Moon does not experience seasons as Earth does.
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16. Origin of Moon’s Name
The name “Moon” comes from the Old English word “mona” and is related to the Latin word “mensis,” meaning month. This reflects the Moon’s role in measuring time and its influence on the early lunar calendars. The Moon has been known by various names in different cultures throughout history.
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17. Lunar Highlands
The lunar highlands are the lighter, heavily cratered, and older parts of the Moon’s surface. They’re composed mostly of anorthosite, a type of rock rich in calcium and aluminum. The highlands cover about 83% of the lunar surface and are more prominent on the far side of the Moon.
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18. The Giant Impact Hypothesis
The Giant Impact Hypothesis is the prevailing theory about the Moon’s formation. It suggests that the Moon formed from the debris ejected after a collision between the early Earth and a Mars-sized body. This theory is supported by similarities in the isotopic compositions of Earth’s crust and the lunar material.
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19. Lunar Regolith
Lunar regolith is the layer of loose, fragmented material covering the solid rock of the Moon. It’s composed of dust, soil, broken rock, and other related materials. The regolith is the result of billions of years of meteorite impacts breaking down rocks on the lunar surface.
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20. First Artificial Satellite of the Moon
The Soviet Union’s Luna 1 was the first artificial satellite to reach the vicinity of the Moon in 1959. Although it didn’t impact the Moon as intended, it passed within 3,725 miles (5,995 kilometers) of the lunar surface. Luna 1 marked a significant milestone in space exploration, being the first human-made object to reach the vicinity of another celestial body.
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21. Temperature Variations
The Moon experiences extreme temperature variations due to its lack of atmosphere. Temperatures can range from about 253°F (123°C) during the day to -387°F (-233°C) at night. These variations pose challenges for lunar exploration and the survival of equipment on the Moon’s surface.
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22. The Moon’s Core
The Moon has a small core, comprising about 2-4% of its total mass. The core is primarily composed of iron and is roughly 240 miles (400 kilometers) in diameter. Unlike Earth, the Moon’s core is not active, which contributes to its lack of a significant magnetic field.
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23. Reflection of Sunlight
The Moon shines because it reflects the light from the Sun. Its surface reflects only 3-12% of the sunlight that hits it, which is why it appears bright but not as bright as the Sun. The exact brightness of the Moon’s reflection varies due to the changing angles of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
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24. The Moon’s Effect on Earth’s Rotation
The Moon’s gravitational pull affects Earth’s rotation, causing a gradual slowing of Earth’s spin. This effect leads to the lengthening of Earth’s day by about 1.7 milliseconds per century. Additionally, this interaction causes the Moon to move slightly away from Earth each year.
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25. Far Side of the Moon
The far side of the Moon, often mistakenly called the “dark side,” is never visible from Earth due to the Moon’s synchronous rotation. It was first observed by humans in 1959 when the Soviet Luna 3 spacecraft took pictures of it. The far side has a much rougher terrain and has fewer of the smooth, dark maria that are seen on the near side.
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26. Lunar Orbit
The Moon orbits Earth at an average speed of about 2,288 miles per hour (3,683 kilometers per hour). It takes approximately 27.3 days for the Moon to complete one orbit around Earth. This orbital period is the same as its rotational period, which is why we always see the same side of the Moon.
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27. Moon’s Influence on Ancient Cultures
The Moon has had a significant influence on various ancient cultures, often worshipped as a deity or used as a basis for calendars. In many cultures, lunar phases were used to determine the timing of important events, from agriculture to religious festivals. The Moon’s regular cycle made it an important symbol in mythology and folklore.
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28. Moon in Astrology
In astrology, the Moon is considered to influence emotions, moods, and subconscious behaviors. It plays a central role in astrological beliefs and practices, representing various aspects of personality and life in different zodiac signs. Although not scientifically supported, astrology continues to be popular in many cultures.
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29. Lunar Tourism
The concept of lunar tourism has been explored by various space companies, aiming to send private individuals to orbit or land on the Moon. While no such missions have occurred yet, advances in space technology may make lunar tourism a reality in the future. This concept presents unique challenges and opportunities in the field of space travel.
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30. Visibility from Earth
The Moon is the brightest and largest object in Earth’s night sky. It can be seen from Earth with the naked eye and is often visible during the day. The Moon’s apparent size in the sky varies slightly due to its elliptical orbit.
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31. Lunar Soil Simulants
Lunar soil simulants, designed to mimic the properties of Moon’s soil, are used for research and testing. These simulants help scientists and engineers prepare for lunar missions by testing rovers, landers, and other equipment. They’re created based on the samples returned by Apollo missions.
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32. Potential for Lunar Solar Power
The Moon’s surface, especially near the lunar poles, receives constant sunlight, making it a potential site for solar power generation. This consistent solar exposure could be harnessed for energy, useful for future lunar bases, or sending power back to Earth. The concept of lunar solar power stations is a topic of ongoing research.
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33. Absence of Sound
Due to the lack of atmosphere, there’s no sound on the Moon. Sound waves require a medium like air or water to travel, which is absent on the Moon. This means that astronauts must use radios to communicate while on the lunar surface.
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34. Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, launched in 2009, has been providing valuable data about the Moon’s terrain, resources, and environment. It has helped identify potential landing sites for future missions and has greatly expanded our understanding of the Moon. The LRO continues to orbit and study the Moon to this day.
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35. Permanent Human Settlements
There have been proposals and studies for establishing permanent human settlements or bases on the Moon. Such bases could serve as research stations, mining sites, or even as stepping stones for missions to Mars and beyond. The challenges include providing life support, protection from radiation, and sustainable energy sources.
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36. Apollo 17’s Lunar Rover
Apollo 17, the last manned mission to the Moon in 1972, brought the first and only lunar rover used by astronauts. This rover allowed astronauts to travel further from the landing site and explore more of the lunar surface. The rover is still on the Moon, along with those from Apollo 15 and Apollo 16.
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37. Helium-3 on the Moon
The Moon has abundant resources of Helium-3, a rare isotope on Earth, which could potentially be used for fusion power. Helium-3 is considered an ideal fuel for future nuclear fusion reactors, due to its efficiency and reduced radioactive waste. The exploitation of lunar Helium-3 is a topic of interest for future energy needs.
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38. Effect on Women’s Menstrual Cycles
There is a common belief that the Moon affects women’s menstrual cycles, given the similar length of the lunar cycle and the average menstrual cycle. However, scientific studies have found no direct correlation between the two. The similarity in cycle length appears to be coincidental.
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39. Effect on Human Culture
The Moon has had a profound effect on human culture, art, mythologies, and languages. It has inspired countless works of art, literature, and music, as well as myths and legends across different cultures. The Moon remains a symbol of fascination and mystery in human culture.
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40. First Unmanned Lunar Landing
The Soviet Luna 2 mission was the first spacecraft to reach the Moon’s surface in 1959. It was the first human-made object to make contact with another celestial body, marking a significant achievement in space exploration. Luna 2 crash-landed on the Moon, transmitting data until impact.
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41. Moon’s Natural Satellites
While the Moon itself is Earth’s natural satellite, it doesn’t have any natural satellites of its own. This absence is due to the Moon’s relatively small size and gravitational pull, which would not effectively capture and retain a moon of its own. Any object attempting to orbit the Moon would likely be pulled into an unstable orbit or crash.
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42. Lunar Impact on Mental Health and Behavior
Throughout history, many cultures have believed that the Moon influences human behavior and mental health, leading to the term “lunacy.” However, scientific studies have found no evidence to support these beliefs. The idea remains a part of folklore and popular culture.
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43. Protection of Lunar Heritage Sites
There have been discussions about the protection of lunar heritage sites, such as the Apollo landing areas. These sites are of historical and cultural significance and are considered part of human heritage. Protecting these sites from future lunar activities is an ongoing international discussion.
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44. Lunar Base Concepts
Various concepts for lunar bases have been proposed, including using lunar regolith to build structures. These bases could support scientific research, serve as testbeds for living on other planets, and potentially aid in lunar resource utilization. Concepts range from inflatable habitats to 3D-printed structures using lunar material.
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