1.2 The Moon

Question 1

what is the diameter of the moon?

Answer 1

the moon has a diameter of 3500km

Question 2

how far away does the moon orbit?

Answer 2

the moon orbits at an average distance of 380 000km

Question 3

why does the moon lack a significant atmosphere?

Answer 3

the moon lacks a significant atmosphere as it’s gravitational strength is so low; only about 1/6 of that on Earth

Question 4

how long are the moon’s rotational and orbital periods?

Answer 4

both the rotational and orbital periods are 27.3 days

Question 5

how long did Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin spend on the Moon?

Answer 5

they spent 2 1/2 hours of EVA on the moon

Question 6

how many missions and astronauts have explored the moon?

Answer 6

there have been 6 missions and 12 astronauts to explore the moon.

Question 7

what were the objectives of the Apollo space programme?

Answer 7

the objectives of the Apollo programme were:
-the collection of lunar soil and rock for analysis on return to Earth
-the deployment of scientific experiments on the lunar surface
- winning the space race to the moon against the Soviet Union
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Question 8

what is a LRRR and what is it used for

Answer 8

a LRRR is a Laser Ranging Retroreflector and it is used to send a Laser back to Earth to accurately determine the Earth- Moon distance using RADAR

Question 9

how was the moon formed? (Giant Impact theory)

Answer 9

while the earth was young, a mars sized object called Theia struck Earth. during the impact, Theia and Earth’s outer layers melted and merged and a lot of debris thrown into Earth- Orbit which coalesced and cooled to form the Moon