The moon
This Topic is About...
- I will learn about the movement of the Moon.
- I will make different types of model to show the size and the movement of the Moon.
You’re going to be a science explorer!
Key Words
- crater
- orbit
- scale model
Tap to Learn the Meanings!
- crater: A bowl-shaped hole on a surface, often caused by a meteor hitting a planet or moon.
- orbit: The curved path one object takes around another in space, like the Moon orbiting Earth.
- scale model: A smaller or larger version of something that shows the correct shapes and proportions.
Great job! You’re learning key space science vocabulary.
Facts about the Moon
The Moon is a large sphere of rock that is moving slowly in a circle around the Earth. We call this circle the Moon’s orbit. The Moon takes 29 days to orbit the Earth.
The Moon has many craters. Craters are made when space rocks hit the Moon’s surface.
The same side of the Moon always faces the Earth because the Moon rotates once every time it orbits the Earth.
Humans on the Moon
The Moon is the only place in space that humans have ever been. Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the Moon in 1969.
Only 12 astronauts have ever walked on the Moon, all between 1969 and 1972.
FUN QUESTIONS
1. What shape is the Moon’s orbit?
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2. How long does the Moon take to orbit the Earth?
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3. Why does the Moon have craters?
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Let’s Investigate!
Modelling the Moon’s orbit
You will need
- some paper
- a piece of string
- some sticky tape
- a large space
Sofia has squashed some paper to make a ball. She has used sticky tape to attach string to the ball. She is using the ball to show how the Moon orbits the Earth.
Try modelling the Moon’s orbit like Sofia.
Make sure you do not hit anyone with the paper ball.
The Moon moves quickly, but it stays in orbit because gravity always pulls it towards the Earth. In this model, the string represents gravity.
Answer these questions
- How can you stay safe in this activity?
- What is being the Moon in this model?
- What is being the Earth in this model?
How am I doing?
Did you swing the ball safely?
Can you explain how the model shows the Moon’s motion?
Can you identify what each part of the model represents?
Did you keep enough space between yourself and others?
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Suggested answers
- How can you stay safe?
Make sure you have lots of space around you and check that no one is close enough to be hit by the swinging ball. - What is being the Moon?
The paper ball represents the Moon. - What is being the Earth?
You (the person holding the string) are acting as the Earth.
The model shows that the Moon circles the Earth while gravity (the string) pulls it inward.
Let’s Investigate!
Modelling the Moon’s orbit — Distance model
Now you will make a scale model to show how far the Moon is from the Earth. Follow the steps carefully and check your measurements.
What to do
- Draw a circle 13 cm across on white paper.
- Colour it to look like the Earth and cut it out.
- Draw another circle 3.5 cm across on white paper.
- Add craters so it looks like the Moon and cut it out.
- Put your model Earth on the floor.
- Use a string to measure 385 cm (this represents 385,000 km).
- Place your model Moon at the end of the string.
- Stand back and look at your model. Does the Moon look close to the Earth or far away?
- Remember: It took astronauts three days to travel to the Moon in a rocket.
What your model should look like
This is a real photograph of the Earth and Moon taken from a spacecraft called OSIRIS-Rex. It was five million kilometres away when it captured this view. Your model should show a similar amount of space between the Earth and the Moon.
How am I doing?
Compare your model with models made by two other people in your class.
Do they look the same?
If they look different, check all the measurements again.
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Key ideas
- The Earth should be much larger than the Moon in your model.
- The Moon should be placed very far from the Earth (385 cm in your scale).
- Most students are surprised by how far away the Moon really is.
What your model shows
Even though the Moon looks close in the sky, it is actually very far away.
If your Earth and Moon are the right sizes and the correct distance apart, your model should match the real spacecraft photograph.