How was the Moon created?

Most probable answer according to today’s scientists seems to be that the Moon was created after a Mars sized object smashed into the Earth when both were still not cooled, i.e. neither had formed a ‘crust’.  Some of the object merged with the Earth making it larger, some would have been thrown off into space, the remainder remained in orbit around Earth, and eventually came together to form the Moon.

How old is the Moon?

Again a best scientific deduction.  The Moon is currently thought to be some 4.4 billion years old.  The Earth is believed to be around 4.5 billion years old.

How big is the Moon?

The Moon has a circumference (distance around its surface) of 6,790 miles (that’s 10,927km).  The Earth’s circumference is 24,880 miles (40,041km).  A ping-pong ball next to a good sized grapefruit gives a fairly rough picture of the difference.

What is the Moon made of?

Green cheese……….everyone knows that !?…….. Of course I’m kidding, but if you seriously want to know that much detail, the ‘crust’ (the part we know a bit about) is believed to be made up of, in order of mass – oxygen, silicon, magnesium, iron, calcium and aluminium.  The core is believed to be partially molten iron mixed with a dash of sulphur and nickel.

How far away is the Moon?

This image was taken of the Earth and the Moon by a Mars probe.  Incredible.  The Moon is in what’s called an elliptical orbit around the Earth.  This means that the orbit is not a perfect circle, it’s actually an ever so slightly stretched circle.  Therefore at its farthest the Moon reaches roughly 250,000 miles (402,000km) from Earth, and at its closest it is roughly 220,000 miles (354,000km).

How hot is it on the Moon?

During the Moon’s day, the temperature reaches 273˚F (or 134˚C).  Think of 100˚C heat in the summer sun on Earth….then triple it….enough to boil the water in your skin pretty quickly.

How cold can it get on the Moon?

During the Moon’s night, the temperature plummets to -245˚F (or -154˚C).  You’ll need considerably more than a pair of long johns, thermal socks and a hot water bottle to get through a night on the Moon.

How many men have walked on the moon?

Only 12.  Yep….12.   All during the Apollo missions between 1969 and 1972.  The most famous are the first two to set foot there, namely Neil Armstrong and Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin.  Conspiracy theories abound as to whether these landings ever actually took place, but most serious scientific persons will tell you that they are in no doubt that they did.  (Check out who wrote this article again and it might just give you a clue as to the writer’s vested interest in the latter being the case!)

If you’ve enjoyed this article, you’ll probably enjoy the following too:

http://scienceray.com/astronomy/the-real-size-of-our-solar-system/

http://scienceray.com/astronomy/the-moon-our-amazing-neighbour/

http://socyberty.com/history/calling-all-moon-men-calling-all-moon-men/

http://bookstove.com/children/buzz-aldrin-look-to-the-stars/

http://scienceray.com/astronomy/what-is-the-speed-of-light/

https://www.triond.com/users/Aldrin+A+Wilding+West

Thanks for reading