We will talk about the Moon, the unique satellite of our beautiful planet, which we see every night when we look at the sky and which illuminates our night. Approximately 4.5 billion years ago, a Mars-sized planet named "Theia" collided with Earth, scattering massive rock fragments into space. These materials ejected into space began to form a ring around Earth, just like Saturn. The fragments that formed this ring later merged under gravitational pull over time to form our Moon. The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite and the fifth largest natural satellite in the Solar System. The average distance from center to center between the Earth and the Moon is 384,403 km, which is about thirty times the diameter of the Earth. The Moon's diameter is 3,474 km, which is slightly more than a quarter of Earth's diameter.
Physical Characteristics of the Moon
Its diameter is 3,474 km, and its mass is about one-hundredth of Earth's mass. The Moon's distance from Earth is 384,400 km, and it completes its orbit around Earth in 27.3 days. The Moon's phases, which repeat every 29.5 days, are formed in this cycle. The surface temperature of the Moon can drop to -233°C or rise up to 123°C.
The Moon's surface area is approximately 38,000,000 square kilometers, which is about 49 times the surface area of Turkey.
The Importance of the Moon
Because of the Moon's gravitational force, our Earth has an axial tilt of 23 degrees. Therefore, since the direction of sunlight and Earth's revolution around the Sun change, the balance of climates has been preserved. However, if there were no Moon, Earth would not have a stable axis and would experience a complete wobble. This would mean the disruption and extreme imbalance of climates.
One of the many reasons why Earth provides suitable conditions for life and why we humans can live on our planet is the delicate gravitational balance between the Moon and Earth. If we asked, "What is the Moon's greatest effect on our Earth?", of course, the answer would be tides. The gravitational force exerted by the Moon on Earth, along with the changing distance between them, causes the oceans and seas to rise and fall.
Therefore, the Moon's importance for our planet and for us is immense…
The Phases of the Moon
New Moon
The Moon's dark side faces the Earth. The Moon cannot be seen clearly from Earth, but it can be seen during a solar eclipse.
Crescent
The Moon remains east of the Sun, and the angle between the Moon-Earth-Sun is less than 90°. The observation period of the crescent phase is short because it is observed near the western horizon after sunset.
First Quarter
This is the phase where the Moon appears as a half-circle (D shape) about one week after the new moon phase; it is the appearance when its angular distance from the Sun is 90°.
Waxing Gibbous
After the first quarter phase, when the Moon's elongation angle is between 90° and 180°, this phase is known as the waxing gibbous phase.
Full Moon
The phase in which the Moon appears as a full, bright circle.
Last Quarter
The phase in which the left half of the Moon is illuminated as seen from Earth.
Orhan Açıkgöz
Yücel Cultural Foundation
Voluntary Author
YKV Content:1612