Moon’s properties

Definition

The Moon's properties include its physical and orbital characteristics. These properties encompass aspects such as size, composition, surface features, and its interaction with Earth and the Sun.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Moon has a diameter of about 3,474 kilometers, roughly one-quarter that of Earth.
2. It has a heavily cratered surface due to impacts from meteoroids over billions of years.
3. The Moon is composed mainly of silicate rocks and has a small iron-rich core.
4. Its synchronous rotation results in the same side always facing Earth, known as the near side.
5. The Moon's lack of atmosphere leads to extreme temperature variations between day and night.

Review Questions

Related terms

Crater: A circular depression on the surface caused by impact events.

Synchronous Rotation:

The state where an astronomical body's rotational period matches its orbital period around another body.

Regolith:

A layer of loose, heterogeneous material covering solid rock on celestial bodies like moons or planets.