The Moon: Our Celestial Neighbor

Key Facts

1. The moon is not a planet, but a satellite of Earth. This means it orbits our planet.

2. The moon orbits Earth at an average distance of 384,400 kilometers (238,900 miles).

3. One side of the moon always faces Earth. This is because the same side always points towards us as it orbits. This is why we only ever see one side of the moon from Earth!

4. The dark patches on the moon's surface are called maria (Latin for seas). They are actually ancient lava flows.

5. The bright regions on the moon are called highlands. They are made up of lighter-colored rocks that were formed by impacts from space objects such as asteroids and comets.

6. Moonquakes happen when there is a sudden release of energy deep within the moon's interior. This causes it to vibrate or shake slightly.

7. The temperature on the surface of the moon can range from -233 degrees Celsius (-387 degrees Fahrenheit) in shadowed areas to 123 degrees Celsius (253 degrees Fahrenheit) in direct sunlight!

8. There is no atmosphere on the moon. This means that there is no wind or weathering to erode its surface features over time like there is on Earth.