…..Arnit Bordoloi…..
The moon is an astronomical body orbiting Earth and is the planet’s only natural satellite. It is the fifth-largest satellite in the solar system, and by far the largest among planetary satellites relative to the size of the planet that it orbits. It formed some 4.51 billion years ago. The most widely accepted explanation is that the Moon formed from the debris left over after a giant impact between Earth and a hypothetical Mars-sized body called Theia. However, New Research of Moon Rocks, although not rejecting the Theia hypothesis suggests that the Moon may be older than previously thought. The general thought is that it was formed 30–50 million years after the formation of the solar system.
The Moon is in synchronous rotation with Earth and because of this the same side is always facing the Earth. This is also because the Moon rotates on its axis in exactly the same time it orbits the Earth. The side facing away from Earth has only been seen from spacecraft. The first mission to the Moon was in 1959 with the first landing by Apollo 11 in 1969. Tides are also caused by the moon. The Moon is drifting approximately 3.8 cm away from the earth every year. The Moon has weaker gravity than Earth, due to its small size, so a person would weigh about 16.5% of his weight on Earth. Only twelve people walked on the moon till now, who were all Americans. The moon has no air, so no sound can be heard on the moon and the sky always appears dark.
The astronauts found that small moonquakes occurred at the moon. Both the Moon’s natural prominence in the earthly sky and its regular cycle of phases as seen from Earth have provided cultural references and influences for human societies and cultures since time immemorial. Such cultural influences can be found in language, lunar calendar systems, art and mythology.
P.S.: From different sources of information.
By Arnit Bordoloi
Class – VIII
FACULTY HIGH SCHOOL