March 27, 2019

The Moon

Most scientists believe the moon formed as a result of a Giant Impact. According to this theory, a Mars-sized planet struck a glancing blow to early Earth. The impact "splashed off" rocks and debris into space, forming a huge ring around Earth that later clumped together to form the moon.

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Today's Random Fact:

When the moon formed 4.6 billion years ago, it was 14,000 miles (22,530 km) from Earth. Now it's more than 280,000 miles (450,000 km) away. The moon looked three times larger when it was closer to Earth.

The moon's gravity has slowed the speed of Earth's rotation. Long ago, it was much faster and days were much shorter.

The same side of the moon always faces Earth because the moon takes the same length of time to rotate once as it does to travel all way around Earth.

Bonus Fact:

Only 12 people have been on the moon: the astronauts on the Apollo missions from 1969 to 1972.

he six Apollo crews came back to Earth with a total of 850 pounds (385 kg) of the moon.

Moon dust is said to smell like spent gunpowder.

DON'T CALL THAT PLUMBER! Blast clogged drains, sinks and toilets with the extra power of the Drain Buster. Stronger than ordinary plungers!

According to the Outer Space Treaty, the moon is under the same jurisdiction as international waters. The treaty also says the moon can be used for peaceful purposes by all nations, and it prohibits weapons of mass destruction or military bases of any kind on the moon.