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Chapter 10: Problem 6

Describe the kinds of features that can be seen on the Moon with a small telescope.

Short Answer

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With a small telescope, we can observe different features on the moon such as craters (like Tycho, Copernicus, and Aristarchus), mare or 'seas' (like Sea of Tranquillity and Ocean of Storms), high peaks and valleys (like the Lunar Apennines and Vallis Alpes), and rays, which are bright streaks of debris extending from the craters.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Moon's surface

The moon's surface is full of rather interesting features. It's filled with craters, valleys, mountains, and plains, which are inspired by astronomical impacts, volcanic activities, and moon's geological history.
02

Identify Observable Features Part 1 - Craters

One of the most identifiable features on the moon are craters. These are circular depressions in the moon's surface caused by meteorite impacts. Some of the most prominent ones that can be observed are Tycho, Copernicus, and Aristarchus craters.
03

Identify Observable Features Part 2 - Mare

Mare (pronounced 'mar-ay') are large, dark, flat areas on the moon. Formed by ancient volcanic eruptions, these resemble seas and hence the name 'mare' which is Latin for seas. Examples include Sea of Tranquillity (Mare Tranquillitatis) and Ocean of Storms (Oceanus Procellarum).
04

Identify Observable Features Part 3 - High peaks and valleys

The moon is home to several mountains, ridges and valleys. For example, the Lunar Apennines is a large mountain range on the moon that is easily observable. Valleys such as the Vallis Alpes can also be seen, which is a large rift in the lunar surface.
05

Identify Observable Features Part 4 - Rays

Rays are lines of debris that are spread out from the point of impact when a meteorite hits the moon's surface. It appears as bright streaks radiating from the craters. The crater Tycho has prominent rays extending outward from it.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What is the regolith? What causes its powdery character?

Use the Starry Night Enthusiast \({ }^{\mathrm{TM}}\) program to examine the Moon. Select Solar System > Moon from the Favourites menu. (If desired, remove the image of the astronaut by clicking on Feet in the View menu) You can rotate the image of the Moon by placing the mouse cursor over the image, holding down the mouse button, and moving the mouse. (On a two-button mouse, hold down the left mouse button.) (a) From what you can see in the image, what evidence can you find that the Moon is geologically inactive? Explain. (b) Spreading outward from some of the largest craters on the Moon are straight lines of lightcolored material called rays that were caused by material ejected outward by the impact that caused the crater. Rotate the Moon around to see the entire illuminated surface. Can you find any rays on the Moon? Zoom in on the Moon to examine various surface features such as craters and mountain ranges. Estimate the length of several rays extending from craters by measuring their length on the screen with a ruler and comparing them to the diameter of the Moon, which is about 30 minutes of arc when seen from Earth. Collaborative Exercise

On the basis of moon rocks brought back by the astronauts, explain why the maria are dark-colored but the lunar highlands are light-colored.

Rocks found on the Moon are between \(3.1\) and \(4.47\) billion years old. By contrast, the majority of the Earth's surface is made of oceanic crust that is less than 200 million years old, and the very oldest Earth rocks are about 4 billion years old. If the Earth and Moon are essentially the same age, why is there such a disparity in the ages of rocks on the two worlds?

Describe the differences between the near and far sides of the Moon. What is thought to be the likely explanation for these differences?
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