10 Facts About The Moon

10 Facts About The Moon

The Moon is Earth's nearest cosmic neighbor, but it is more than just a big pretty light in the sky. Here are 10 cool, and sometimes surprising, facts about Earth's nearest neighbor: the Moon.

1

Not all full Moons are the same size. Their size varies depending on whether the Moon is at its apogee (far away) or perigee (nearby).

2

The Moon is not round - it is shaped like an egg.

3

The Moon’s core is 2-4% of its mass, whereas Earth’s core is about 30% of its mass.

4

When the Moon formed 4.6 billion years ago, it was 14,000 miles from Earth. Now it’s more than 280,000 miles away.

5

Because the surface of the Moon has no wind or water, an astronaut’s footprint could last for millions of years.

6

Because there is no atmosphere on the Moon, there is no twilight before nightfall.

7

Only 12 people have been on the Moon.

8

Earth rotates 1000 miles per hour. The Moon rotates much slower at 10 miles per hour.

9

A compass would not work on the moon because it has no global magnetic field.

10

Although a full moon seems bright, it is actually reflecting just 7% of the sun’s rays.