2 Studying the set text: Chapter 6 of Teach Yourself Planets

2.1 The Moon

David A. Rothery Teach Yourself Planets, Chapter 6, pp. 66-75, Hodder Education, 2000, 2003.

Copyright © David Rothery

In this chapter you will learn:

  • about the nearest planetary body to the Earth

  • about the long record of impact cratering on its surface, and about the ancient eruptions that flooded many low-lying areas.

Planetary facts
Equatorial radius (km)1738
Mass (relative to Earth)0.0123 (7.35 × 1022 kg)
Density (g/cm3)3.34
Surface gravity (relative to Earth)0.17
Rotation period27.32 days
Axial inclination6.67°
Distance from Earth384,400 km
Orbital period27.32 days
Orbital eccentricity0.05
Composition of surfacerocky
Mean surface temperature1 °C
Composition of atmosphereargon, helium, atomic oxygen, sodium, potassium
Atmospheric pressure at surface (relative to Earth)2 × 10−14
Number of satellites0
David A. Rothery, Teach Yourself Planets, p. 66, Hodder Education, 2000, 2003. Copyright © David Rothery