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Getting to know your Solar System: Luna
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| Getting to know your Solar System: Luna
- Click HERE to go to the original thread with graphics
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| Halcyon |
The MOON! Our only moon. While some planets are fortunate to have many, and some are so unfortunate to have none. We are lucky enough to have one. We are the only known planet in this universe (so far) to have a moon that rotates and revolves at a 1/1 scale. That is to say the the rotation of the moon is exactly to scale as it's revolution around our planet. This is why we only see one side of the moon. There are many ideas on how the moon was formed.
The story I prefer is that back when the Solar System was being formed, and we were 'cluttered' with debris and dust, many planets began to form from surrounding dust particles and matter. Also floating in this mass of debris were many asteroids and comets... floating around in our solar system.... As our planet began to 'cool' and the matter and dust that formed our planet began to harden, a giant asteroid flew by and 'cut' off the top of our planet. This created a huge trail of debris and matter and slowed the asteroid down to almost nothing. The asteroid retained some of the matter and debris from our planet, and our planet retained some of the matter and debris from the asteroid. The asteroid began to 'settle' into orbit around our planet and harden, the matter and debris trail began to fall to both the Earth and the Moon.
This is why we can find trace minerals and elements that are abundant on the moon here on Earth in VERY small doses, and some minerals and elements that are abundant on Earth are barely found on the Moon....
This is the 3rd grade version of what might have happened. I'm not a scholar and I'm not great with words... I know you will all bash my logic here, and I expect that.
There won't be any real science fiction things, and I'm not about to get into wether we really landed on the Moon or not in this thread. It's my contention WE DID land on the moon. And so I am basically going to post pictures from different landing missions and such and the pictures they took.
And now, relax, and enjoy:
LUNA
Facts about the Moon |
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| Halcyon |
Some cartography of the Moon....
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| Halcyon |
Shots from the Apollo 12 Mission...
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| Halcyon |
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| Halcyon |
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| Halcyon |
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| Halcyon |
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| Halcyon |
A composite shot of the King Crater on the Moon.... from the Apollo 14 mission!
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| Halcyon |
A couple shots from the Apollo 15 mission...
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| Halcyon |
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| Halcyon |
A shot from the Apollo 16 mission.... I like the Earth on the horizon.
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| Halcyon |
Last shot.... Apollo 17 Mission....
:ps: :usa: :ps:
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| tourette_ticker |
Quote: Originally posted by Halcyon
The MOON! Our only moon. While some planets are fortunate to have many, and some are so unfortunate to have none. We are lucky enough to have one. We are the only known planet in this universe (so far) to have a moon that rotates and revolves at a 1/1 scale. That is to say the the rotation of the moon is exactly to scale as it's revolution around our planet. This is why we only see one side of the moon. There are many ideas on how the moon was formed.
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Another great thread Hal. One error I would like to point out though is that most big moons are in synchronous orbit with their planet.
From Wik:
In astronomy, synchronous rotation is a planetological term describing a body orbiting another, where the orbiting body takes as long to rotate on its axis as it does to make one orbit; and therefore always keeps the same hemisphere pointed at the body it is orbiting.
The Moon is in synchronous rotation about the Earth. In fact, most major moons in the solar system have synchronous rotation due to tidal locking. |
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| Halcyon |
Well thats it.... I know there wasn't a whole lot to this one. The Moon is not as fascinating as some of the planets, but it's the one place we have the most pictures of from that are not of this world. And pictures from another planet or body in space are fascinating to me... extremely fascinating to me. The fact that we can land on another rock in space and take pictures and send them back or study the planet or moon is just a staggering notion for me. It's something I have always been fascinated with, going to other planets.
I hope you guys enjoy some of the pictures from another perspective as much as I enjoy them. There's just something about a real picture from another planet or moon that just makes the hair on my neck stand up. |
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| ru8up? |
national geographic channel had an excellent show on the earth and one moon theory was that the young earth was hit by a planetoid and the moon is the remnants of that collision along with the earths wobble on it's axis
i think the show was naked science, they did a carl sagan like cosmos calendar of the earth's history |
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| Halcyon |
Quote: Originally posted by tourette_ticker
Another great thread Hal. One error I would like to point out though is that most big moons are in synchronous orbit with their planet.
From Wik:
In astronomy, synchronous rotation is a planetological term describing a body orbiting another, where the orbiting body takes as long to rotate on its axis as it does to make one orbit; and therefore always keeps the same hemisphere pointed at the body it is orbiting.
The Moon is in synchronous rotation about the Earth. In fact, most major moons in the solar system have synchronous rotation due to tidal locking. |
WOW!!! I stand corrected... I was told in school that we were the only planet with a moon with that kind of synchronous rotation....
They think it has to do with the Tides? What about planets with no oceans or water? |
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| Halcyon |
Quote: Originally posted by ru8up?
national geographic channel had an excellent show on the earth and one moon theory was that the young earth was hit by a planetoid and the moon is the remnants of that collision along with the earths wobble on it's axis
i think the show was naked science, they did a carl sagan like cosmos calendar of the earth's history |
Good call... that theory also could explain the tilt in our axis, and why our poles are at a 20% (23%?) angle... |
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| tourette_ticker |
| Tidal locking does not necessarily involve water or liquids, just varying gravitational pull from the objects. The same force is what is thought to create the possibility of liquid water under the ice of Europa. |
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| tourette_ticker |
The impact theory is the most widely accepted theory of how the moon was created. A glancing blow from a Mars sized object.
click here to see an animation |
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| Halcyon |
Quote: Originally posted by tourette_ticker
The impact theory is the most widely accepted theory of how the moon was created. A glancing blow from a Mars sized object.
click here to see an animation |
Thanks for the explanations... you have a much better grasp or maybe a better way of saying what I mean to say... I'm glad you can correct my inconsistencies :)
I've seen that animation before, it's a good one. |
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| tourette_ticker |
Quote: Originally posted by Halcyon
Thanks for the explanations... you have a much better grasp or maybe a better way of saying what I mean to say... I'm glad you can correct my inconsistencies :)
I've seen that animation before, it's a good one. |
You are usually pretty close when not dead on. I have been an astronomy buff for a long time so I have gathered a lot of trivia. I think it is great that you have started these treads. Thanks again. |
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| tourette_ticker |
Oh yeah and let's not forget this!
Plan Ahead: Total Lunar Eclipse March 3
By Joe Rao
SPACE.com Skywatching Columnist
posted: 09 February 2007
06:07 am ET
Soon after sunset on Saturday evening, March 3, skywatchers in eastern North America can watch the rising full Moon undergoing its first total eclipse in nearly 2-½ years.
In Europe and Africa the eclipse takes place late at night high in a dark sky.
For North Americans, the farther east you are the better. The eclipse will already be in progress when the Sun sets and the Moon rises, two events that happen almost simultaneously on a lunar eclipse night.
Here's a link |
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| Halcyon |
Quote: Originally posted by tourette_ticker
Oh yeah and let's not forget this!
Plan Ahead: Total Lunar Eclipse March 3
By Joe Rao
SPACE.com Skywatching Columnist
posted: 09 February 2007
06:07 am ET
Soon after sunset on Saturday evening, March 3, skywatchers in eastern North America can watch the rising full Moon undergoing its first total eclipse in nearly 2-½ years.
In Europe and Africa the eclipse takes place late at night high in a dark sky.
For North Americans, the farther east you are the better. The eclipse will already be in progress when the Sun sets and the Moon rises, two events that happen almost simultaneously on a lunar eclipse night.
Here's a link |
Looks like it's time to break out the telescope.... I know just the place to go too....
Thanks for the information! |
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| zimmie |
Quote: Originally posted by Halcyon
Looks like it's time to break out the telescope.... I know just the place to go too....
Thanks for the information! |
Another boring BS thread loser..
.We all have seen 30 year old pics of the moon.
Why don't you really tell us which little boys bedroom window you'll be pointing that telescope into tonite pervert. |
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| ChaseDC |
Quote: Originally posted by zimmie
I think I will tell you which little boys bedroom window I'll be pointing that telescope into tonite, Ok? |
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| Halcyon |
Quote: Originally posted by zimmie
Another boring BS thread loser..
.We all have seen 30 year old pics of the moon.
Why don't you really tell us which little boys bedroom window you'll be pointing that telescope into tonite pervert. |
Nice try on flaming my thread child fucker.... there's only one pedophile in this forum... and I think we exposed you....
Shouldn't you be going door to door right now per Megan's law, telling everyone in your neighborhood who you are and what you do?
Now... on with the Astronomy |
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| ChaseDC |
Quote: Quote: Originally posted by zimmie
I think I will tell you which little boys bedroom window I'll be pointing that telescope into tonite, Ok?
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| tourette_ticker |
Just a reminder:
Viewer's Guide: March 3 Total Lunar Eclipse
By Joe Rao
SPACE.com Skywatching Columnist
posted: 23 February 2007
06:02 am ET
Almost 2-1/2 years have passed since the Moon plunged completely into the Earth’s shadow. But if you live in Europe, Africa, or the eastern half of North America, but sure to put a big circle on your calendar for Saturday, March 3.
Unlike an eclipse of the Sun which often requires a long journey to the path of totality, those of the Moon can be observed from one’s own backyard. The passage of the Moon through the Earth’s shadow is equally visible from all places within the hemisphere where the Moon is above the local horizon. Moreover, coming as it does early on a Saturday evening, this eclipse should arouse wide interest among tens of millions of people in the eastern parts of the United States and Canada who can see it during normal waking hours.
Astronomy clubs might take this opportunity to alert schools and the mainstream media about their eclipse activities and amateur astronomy in general. Why not consider throwing a neighborhood eclipse party?
Images: The Moon / Eclipse 2003 / Eclipse 2004
The timing
The beginning and ending of a lunar eclipse happens simultaneously for every viewer, unlike an eclipse of the Sun. Hence the simple schedule below holds for all places from where the event is visible (in the Western United States, the Moon won't rise until the event is largely over):
Europe and Africa are in the best position; the eclipse will happen during the late-night hours of March 3-4, with the Moon high in the sky. From Newfoundland and Labrador will see the Moon rise prior to its entrance into the umbra (6:00 p.m. Newfoundland Time). For the rest of North America, the eclipse will already in progress when the Moon rises.
Unfortunately, for those living in the western United States and Canada, the eclipse will have pretty much ended by the time the Moon rises. As a consolation, however, the next total eclipse later this year (on Aug. 27) will favor these locations.
For many of us a total eclipse of the Moon can be enjoyed purely as a spectacle, a means of appreciating nature in an unfamiliar guise. But many kinds of careful observations can have scientific interest. Even with the unaided eye a lunar eclipse is pleasing to watch, but binoculars will certainly improve the view. For visual observations, a small telescope is recommended. You should use your lowest-power eyepiece. |
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| kali |
I never tire of looking at the moon. It's beautiful in a sparce kind of way. much like a desert.
Lets remember what people thought of the moon before we landed. It was a place of mystery. People were tirelessly trying to figure out what is was like, what was there and why it was there. The wrote poety about it's effect on lovers and madmen. Was it really made of cheese?????? Would a man sink when trying to walk on it and disappear into it's core??
was it hard, soft, too hot, too cold?????
The man on the street had all sorts of speculations - mostly born of fear.
Once we actually got there and saw our astronauts walking about (iin some cases, bouncing), there was a sense of loss. We lost that "mystery" that had been with humans for millions of years. We can't get mystical about the moon anymore. We have too much REAL knowledge about it now.
The fact is that after 1969 Every single child born since is living in an entirely different world. One in which we KNOW. One in which We Have Been There. One in which humans have Been On Other worlds. And isnt that exciting???
I prefer the glory of knowledge than the shrowd of the unknown. |
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| kali |
I just want to bump this up because people need to be reminded about the March 3rd Eclipse.
I've seen the moon get RED twice so far. Once when I was in LA. and the sky was clear! (yes, I know, very unusual). Was that Incredibly beautiful! There's nothing like watching the white sliver of the sun softly lick one side of the Moon while the rest of the surface gets this intense, deep red.
It's supposed to be cloudy this weekend so I doubt I will get a good view, but I hope to see Somthing! |
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| Halcyon |
Quote: Originally posted by kali
I just want to bump this up because people need to be reminded about the March 3rd Eclipse.
I've seen the moon get RED twice so far. Once when I was in LA. and the sky was clear! (yes, I know, very unusual). Was that Incredibly beautiful! There's nothing like watching the white sliver of the sun softly lick one side of the Moon while the rest of the surface gets this intense, deep red.
It's supposed to be cloudy this weekend so I doubt I will get a good view, but I hope to see Somthing! |
There's a mountain by my house (Mount Hamilton out here in the San Jose east hills if you care to look it up)... Not only has it been snowing up there... but it's also the home of James Lick Observatory... a giant observatory up on the mountain.
long story short, I will be (if it's not blocked off because of snow) be up there with my telescope like I used to be to see this.... and my girl will be with me too :) |
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| tourette_ticker |
Quote: Originally posted by Halcyon
There's a mountain by my house (Mount Hamilton out here in the San Jose east hills if you care to look it up)... Not only has it been snowing up there... but it's also the home of James Lick Observatory... a giant observatory up on the mountain.
long story short, I will be (if it's not blocked off because of snow) be up there with my telescope like I used to be to see this.... and my girl will be with me too :) |
Sounds like a good night! |
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| Halcyon |
Quote: Originally posted by tourette_ticker
Sounds like a good night! |
I hope so.... |
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| tourette_ticker |
Final reminder:
Saturday Night Special: Easy-to-Watch Lunar Eclipse
By Robert Roy Britt
Senior Science Writer
posted: 02 March 2007
12:47 pm ET
The first total lunar eclipse in more than two years will wow skywatchers if skies are clear in eastern parts of North America and all of Europe and Africa Saturday evening.
The eclipse will be in progress when the Moon rises in the eastern half of the United States. It will be over before the Moon rises on the West Coast.
The Moon will begin to enter Earth's shadow at 3:18 p.m. ET (20:18 GMT). From locations where it is dark at that time, it will appear as though a bite is being taken out of the Moon [images]. At 5:44 p.m. ET (22:44 GMT) totality begins when the Moon will be fully inside the shadow.
"For North Americans, the farther East you go the better the view," said Joe Rao, SPACE.com's Skywatching Columnist. "As the Sun sets in the West, the Moon will coming up on the opposite side of the sky in the East.
Eclipse Viewer's Guide
Top 10 Eclipse Facts
How it works
The Moon is visible because it reflects sunlight. A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth gets directly between the Sun and the Moon [graphic].
The Moon often appears orange, coppery or dark red during an eclipse because, as sunlight is scattered through Earth's atmosphere, most of the blue light is absorbed. Most of the red light gets through, and some of that continues on to the Moon and is reflected back. [images].
This transformation led people in ancient times to fear eclipses. The ancient Chinese thought the Moon was being eaten. The blood red color of some eclipses fit neatly with this explanation.
How to watch
Weather permitting, the spectacle will be easily visible to the naked eye. Binoculars and telescopes can enhance the experience but are not necessary.
"Even with the unaided eye a lunar eclipse is pleasing to watch, but binoculars will certainly improve the view," Rao said.
From the Eastern United States and Canada, the best view will be one that is unobstructed to the East, allowing a clear look at the Moon as it rises. Totality ends at 6:58 p.m. ET (23:58 GMT). The Moon exists Earth's main shadow, called the umbra, at 8:11 p.m. ET, which correspond to the wee hours of Sunday morning in Europe.
Several webcasts of the eclipse are planned, from the Canary Islands, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway and Spain.
The next total lunar eclipse, Aug. 27, will favor skywatchers in the Western United States. |
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