The Moon | TheSkyLive (2024)

FAQs

What is the Moon made of? ›

A partially molten layer with a thickness of 93 miles (150 kilometers) surrounds the iron core. The mantle extends from the top of the partially molten layer to the bottom of the Moon's crust. It is most likely made of minerals like olivine and pyroxene, which are made up of magnesium, iron, silicon, and oxygen atoms.

The Moon's current phase for today and tonight is a Waxing Gibbous phase.

Why Is the New Moon Invisible? The new Moon is invisible because it is approximately between Earth and the Sun, so the dark half of the Moon faces us, and the sunlit half faces the Sun.

A UN agreement from 1967 says no nation can own the Moon. Instead, the fantastically named Outer Space Treaty says it belongs to everyone, and that any exploration has to be carried out for the benefit of all humankind and in the interests of all nations.

An enduring myth about the Moon is that it doesn't rotate. While it's true that the Moon keeps the same face to us, this only happens because the Moon rotates at the same rate as its orbital motion, a special case of tidal locking called synchronous rotation.

Temperatures near the Moon's equator can spike to 250°F (121°C) in daylight, then plummet after nightfall to -208°F (-133°C).

A new moon, the first of the eight phases of the moon. Depicts the moon as a full, bluish- or grayish-black, cratered disc, not illuminated by the sun. May be used to represent the moon more generally, nighttime, outer space, and astronomy. May also be used to convey enchanting or eerie feelings.

Yes, everyone sees the same phases of the Moon. People north and south of the equator do see the Moon's current phase from different angles, though. If you traveled to the other hemisphere, the Moon would be in the same phase as it is at home, but it would appear upside down compared to what you're used to!

Watch the Full Pink Moon 2024 bloom in the night sky April 23 | Space.

Yes, all are still standing except for Apollo 11's, which was knocked down by the exhaust from the ascent vehicle. (I guess they figured out after that to plant them further from the lander.) Recent images by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter revealed the shadows of the flags.

How many flags are on the Moon? ›

How many flags are on the Moon? A total of six flags have been planted on the Moon – one for each US Apollo landing. Unfortunately, Apollo 11's flag was too close to the landing module and was knocked over by the exhaust when the module launched again.

No. The moon is unregulated as far as “permission to land” goes. Generally you only need permission to land at controlled airports on Earth, anyway.

The Lunar Core

At the Moon's center is a dense, metallic core. This core is largely composed of iron and some nickel. The Moon's core is relatively small (about 20% of its diameter) compared to other terrestrial worlds (like Earth) with cores measuring closer to 50% of their diameters.

The Moon's surface is dominated by igneous rocks. The lunar highlands are formed of anorthosite, an igneous rock predominantly of calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar.

A team of scientists led by French astronomer Arthur Briaud has established that the likely contents of the Moon's core is a solid metal ball covered by a molten outer layer. This conclusion followed an in-depth study that compared and analyzed simulations and existing data from various sources.

In this theory, the moon formed from the impact debris—a mixture of molten rock and hot gas—flung out into space by the impact, potentially forming a disk of material known as a “lunar synestia.” Alternate theories suggested by scientists include: the moon broke away from the Earth (“Fission theory”)