Basic
information about the moon and
some interesting facts about it.
"When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the
Creator"
(Mahatma Gandhi)
Moon Profile - Basic Lunar Information
by the StarMessage screensaver
Name:
Moon
Age:
4.5 billion years old
Mass:
73'490'000'000'000'000 million kg
Shape:
Egg-shaped
Family:
Member of our solar system, satellite of earth
Active Relationships:
Orbits around the earth
Distance from earth: Distance at perigee Traveling by car: Traveling by rocket: Traveling by light speed:
384'467 km
~364 397 km Distance at apogee ~406 731 km
130 days
13 hours
1.52 sec
Diameter: Driving around by car:
3476 km (1/4 of the Earth's)
4 days
Gravity acceleration:
1.62m/sec2 (1/6 of Earth's)
Revolution period:
27.3217 days
Mean Synodic period
(new moon to new moon):
29.530588861 days
Mean orbital velocity:
1'023 km/sec
Interesting facts about the moon
Rotation of moon The same side of the Moon always faces the Earth. The Moon's
rotation period is synchronous with its revolution period around the
Earth.
Change of distance
Because of a loss of orbital energy to gravity from the Earth,
the Moon is very gradually moving away from the Earth. In the very
early history of the Earth, the Moon looked about 3 times larger in
apparent size in the sky, because it was closer to the Earth.
Lunar atmosphere The Moon has almost no atmosphere, because of its weak gravity.
All types of gas will escape from its surface.
Without an atmosphere, there is no wind or water erosion. The Moon's
surface is about the same now as it was 3 billion years ago. The
astronauts' footprints remain unchanged on the Moon's surface. The
footprints should last at least 10 million years.
Temperatures on the moon
The surface temperature fluctuates from roughly +300? F during the
2-week daytime to -270 F during the 2-week night. This is because
there is not enough atmosphere to keep the Moon warm at night, nor
protect it from the Sun's rays in the daytime.
The Apollo 11 mission to the moon Just twenty seconds' worth of fuel remained when Apollo 11's
lunar module landed on the moon.
The multi-layered space suit worn by astronauts on the Apollo moon
landings weighed 180 pounds on Earth and 30 pounds on the Moon with
the reduced lunar gravity.
The average desktop computer contains 5-10 times more computing
power than was used to land a man on the moon.
The surface speed record on the Moon is 10.56 miles per hour. It was
set in an Apollo lunar rover.
Size comparison The volume of the Earth's moon is the same as the volume of the
Pacific Ocean.
Lunar magnetic field The Moon has no global magnetic field. You cannot use a compass
to find your direction.
Strange Mathematics: 1/2 equals 1/4 A quarter moon and a half moon are the same thing. The quarter
refers to the fraction of the lunar month which has passed, whilst
the half describes the portion of the Moon's disc which is visible.
Calculation of the Easter date Easter is the first Sunday after the first Saturday after the
first full moon after the equinox. (The equinox is quite often March
21, but can also occur on the March 20 or 22.)
Tides and the moon The moon causes many of the tides in the Earth's oceans. This is
because of the gravity force between the Earth and Moon. At full
Moon and new Moon, the Sun, Earth and Moon are lined up, producing
the higher than normal tides (called spring tides, for the way they
spring up). When the Moon is at first or last quarter, smaller neap
tides form.
Sun and Moon Eclipses An eclipse of the Sun can occur only at New Moon, while an
eclipse of the Moon can occur only at Full Moon.
Moon Ingredients
The moon is not made of cheese.
Instantly view the Moon Phase on your computer desktop with this screensaver
StarMessage: The Moon Phases Screensaver for Microsoft Windows
Write your messages with the stars of the night sky
Find great moon phase and moon facts information in a screensaver at www.Screensaver-Download.com
Opinions about the StarMessage screensaver by other users like you
¤
I downloaded the trial and was so pleased with it I HAD to
register it. It's great to look at, its a good communication
tool. I leave greetings, messages there for other family
members. Its amazing and practical, worth every penny and A+
customer support.
Janice Brown
¤
This is by far the very
best screen saver one can find. Lost hard drives etc....I will
reinstall each and every time. Have had since 98 and wouldn't
change it for one second. Who can ask for more than the 'moon
and stars'?
Opinions
about theStarMessage screensaver by
other users like you
?
I downloaded the trial and was so pleased with it I HAD to
register it. It's great to look at, its a good communication
tool. I leave greetings, messages there for other family
members. Its amazing and practical, worth every penny and A+
customer support.
Janice Brown
?
This is by far the very
best screen saver one can find. Lost hard drives etc....I will
reinstall each and every time. Have had since 98 and wouldn't
change it for one second. Who can ask for more than the 'moon
and stars'?
Sherry Smothers
Sarasota, FL
?
I am into Computers for
almost 10 years now. I have seen all kinds of programs. But your little program here is so nice and so beautiful, I
have never experienced something like this before. Your
lullaby-music is so tender and caring, giving peace and rest.
I would like to thank you very much for this little helper,
you have given me so much peace and comfort.
