The Moon

1. How is the distance to the Moon most accurately measured?

2. Employ the concept of escape speed to explain why the Moon has no atmosphere.

3. In was sense are the Lunar 'maria' seas?

4. What is a synchronous orbit, and how did the orbit of the Moon come to be this way?

5. What causes erosion on the Moon, and why is it slower than on Earth?

6. What is the evidence that there is ice on the Moon?

7. Unlike the Earth, the surface of the Moon undergoes extreme temperature changes. Why?

8. Describe a widely accepted theory of the Moon's origin.

9. From a position on the Moon from which the Earth is visible, would the position of the Earth change in the sky over the course of a month? What changes in the appearance of the Earth would occur?

10. What is a terminator line? What is the advantage of observing the terminator line on the surface of the Moon? If you were on a terminator line on the surface of the Earth, what time of day would it be?

11. Where on the Moon would be the best place to make astronomical observations? What would be the advantages of this over observing from the Earth?

12. How is the varying thickness of the Moon's crust related to the presence or absence of maria?