the moon - science

• the moon is the second brightest object in our sky after the sun
• the moon is non luminous and has no atmosphere
• it keeps the earth balanced
• earth = x10N. moon = x1.67N
• 365 days for the earth to orbit the sun
• 28 days for the moon to orbit the earth
• the moon was formed when a large object collided with the earth (roughly mars size) this removed material from the earth into orbit which fused together and formed the moon (4.6 billion years ago)
• the moon is made up of rock, metal and gas
• phase 1: the new moon, the earth sun and moon are in a straight line, you cant see the moon
• phase 2: waxing crescent, you can see less of half the moon

  
• phase 3: first quarter moon, day 7 we can see exactly half of the moon

  
• phase 4: waxing gibbous

  
• phase 5: the full moon, day 14, the sun earth and moon are on a straight line again but the moon is on the opposite side of the earth

  
• phase 6: the waning gibbous

  
• phase 7: the third quarter, day 21

  
• phase 8: the waning crescent