The Moon

The Moon

» The Moon is the only satellite of the earth.
» It has a diameter of 3,475 km and its circumference is 10,864 km while its orbit is elliptical.
» The maximum distance (apogee) of the moon from the earth is 4,06,000 km and the minimum distance (perigee) is 3,64,000 km.
» It takes 27 days, 7 hours and 43 minutes to rotate on its axis (this period of about 27.5 days is called the sidereal month) and approximately the same period of time it takes to revolve around the earth. The moon's period of revolution with reference to the sun is about 29.53 days (29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.8 seconds). This period is called a synodic month.
» Only 59 per cent of the total surface of the moon is visible from the earth.
» The bright part of the moon is full of mountains whereas the dark patches are low lying plains.
» 'Sea of tranquility' made of the plain of dust particles, is on the rear side of the moon, which always remains dark.
» The highest mountain on the moon is liebuity mountain which is 10,660 meter high.

» The moon has no atmosphere, no twilight and no sound.
» The temperature during daytime is about 1000C and during night it drops down to about -180°C.
» The light from the moon takes 1.3 seconds to reach the Earth.
» The size of the Moon is one-fourth (1 / 4th) the size of the Earth.
» Gravitational pull of Moon is one-sixth (1 / 6th) that of the Earth.
» Mainly silicon, iron, magnesium etc elements are found on the Moon's surface.
» The study of the Moon is called 'Selenology'.
» Moon is also known as the fossil planet.