Out of this World: The Moon
“But even when the moon looks like it's waning...it's actually never changing shape. Don't ever forget that.”
In the Science Crafts & Facts Livestream (Thursdays at 10:30 AM Facebook & Instagram) I shared some Facts about our Moon!
- The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. Simply called "The Moon" because people didn't know other moons existed until Galileo Galilei discovered four moons orbiting Jupiter in 1610.
- The Moon is in a synchronized rotation with Earth, meaning the same side is always facing the Earth.
- No diet needed! A person would weigh about 16.5% of their weight on the Moon because the Moon has a weaker gravitational force than Earth because it is smaller, a quarter of the Earth's size.
- The Moon is moving approximately 3.8 centimeters away from our planet every year. It is estimated that it will continue to do so for 50 billion years. By the time that happens the Moon will be taking around 47 days to orbit the earth instead of the current 27.3 days.
- The Moon has no atmosphere. Therefore the surface of the Moon is unprotected from cosmic rays, meteorites, and solar winds. The lack of atmosphere means no sound can be heard on the moon and the sky always appears black.
- Twelve astronauts have walked on the Moon. To of survived there, astronauts need a space suit that can withstand space.
Remember the acronym SPORT:
S is for Space Debris. There are up to 20,000 different space debris, the size of a softball, floating around the Earth at high speeds that could impact the spacesuit.
P is for Pressure. The space suit provides air pressure to keep the fluids in your body in a liquid state -- in other words, to prevent your bodily fluids from boiling.
O is for Oxygen. The spacesuit must provide oxygen to the astronaut as well as store ample amount for travel.
R is for Radiation. Radiation is energy packaged in electromagnetic waves or carried by particles. The energy is handed off when the wave or particle runs into something else, like an astronaut or spacecraft component.
T is for Temperature. The temperature on the Moon ranges from around +200 to -200 degrees Celsius (+392 to -328 degrees Fahrenheit).
The moon has many craters such as the South Pole Aitken Basin which stretches 1,550 miles wide and 8 miles deep. It is the oldest and deepest crater on the moon and one of the largest craters in the entire solar system.
The Waboba Moon Ball has pocket craters giving it a fun pop-sound. It is engineered for high bouncing ability just like a golf ball. This 100-foot bouncing ball is only available in the Limited Time "Out of this World" At Home Play Pak™ ($40 with Free Shipping) available June 2020. Look at everything else that comes in an 8x8 inch handstamped tote assembled to enrich your young scientist's play this Month!
I demonstrated how to make a Moon Phases Slider. You will need:
- A 4"x6" white paper
- A 5"×12" black paper
- A 2"x10" back paper
- A circle to trace, (ie paper towel tube)
- Scissors
- Tape
- Pen/pencil
1. First fold the large black paper in half.
2. Tape the white paper on one side of the black paper.
3. Trace and cut out a circle on the opposite side of the black paper.
4. Fold over.
5. Using the long black paper, trace and cut the curve of the same circle on each end f the paper.
6. Open the folded black paper and place the long piece across. Close and secure with tape any openings.
7. Slide the long paper (towards the left) all the way to the end. With no white paper showing trace a circle inside on the long black paper and label as "New Moon."
8. Slide the long paper, showing a small amount of white. This is the Waxing Crescent phase.
9. Slide the long paper, showing half of the white. This is the First Quarter phase.
10. Slide the long paper, showing mostly white. This is the Waxing Gibbous phase.
11. Slide the long paper, showing all white. This is the Full Moon phase.
12. Now from the left side, moving towards the right reverse the steps.
13. Slide the long paper, showing mostly white. This is the Waning Gibbous phase.
14. Slide the long paper, showing half of the white. This is the Last Quarter phase.
15. Slide the long paper, showing mostly black. This is the Waning Crescent phase.
16. Slide the long paper, showing all black. This is the return of the New Moon. It takes 27.3 to go around the Sun.
Look up day or night to see what phase the Moon is in the sky. Slide your Moon Phase Slider to track what you see!
To complete "Moon Week" during the Science Literacy Livestream (Fridays at 10:30 AM EST) I will read aloud the book Moon: Earth's Best Friend by Stacy McAnulty. Author of other titles such as Sun: One in a Billion (read aloud previously this month) and Earth: My First 4.54 Billion Years. In 2021 Mars: Earthlings Welcome will be available.
Next week it will be all about the Planets!
Tune in on Facebook & Instagram (click each to like) to be notified when I go LIVE at 10:30 AM EST. At this time, watch replay Live content from the Facebook recording on IGTV or on the Facebook Page. Say Hello /Comment who's watching to be put in the monthly raffle! June's raffle is an At Home Play Pak!
Here's a special edition #infographic all about the Moon with all the facts from above!
Stacey Diaz "Ms. Stacey the Science Lady" is a Florida Certified Elementary Education Science Educator Blogger and operates an e-commerce Science Toy Shop, Philanthrolab Science Shop LLC (50 Science Toys $10 or less, goodie bags, gifts; At Home Play Pak™, Satchel of Science™, and the DIY Sci Kit™) inspiring children with Science through Virtual Classes & Science Toys!
From the Philanthrolab Science Shop Social Media Platforms (Facebook & Instagram) Ms. Stacey provides two Livestreams per week, a Virtual Class (Next registration in August 2020), Lesson blogs on the website, and Additional resources on "Philanthrolab Fun Facts Fanpage" Facebook Group and most recently, Pinterest.
Support by purchasing products from www.philanthrolabscienceshop.com, registering for virtual classes, or by sending monetary contributions through paypal or venmo.
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