Topicm2f0ea40261f576dd_1528449000663_0Topic

Moon - a natural satellite. Moon - the best‑studied extra‑terrestrial object

Levelm2f0ea40261f576dd_1528449084556_0Level

Third

Core curriculumm2f0ea40261f576dd_1528449076687_0Core curriculum

III. Gravity and elements of astronomy. The student:

4) describes the structure of the Solar System and its place in the Galaxy.

Timingm2f0ea40261f576dd_1528449068082_0Timing

45 minutes

General learning objectivesm2f0ea40261f576dd_1528449523725_0General learning objectives

Describes the Moon as the natural satellitenatural satellitenatural satellite of the Earth.

Key competencesm2f0ea40261f576dd_1528449552113_0Key competences

1. Explains what the orbital periodorbital periodorbital period of the Moon is.

2. Describes the surface of the Moon.

Operational (detailed) goalsm2f0ea40261f576dd_1528450430307_0Operational (detailed) goals

The student:

- describes the motion of the Moon around the Earth,

- describes the characteristics of the Moon’s surface.

Methodsm2f0ea40261f576dd_1528449534267_0Methods

1. Discussion.

2. Text analysis.

Forms of workm2f0ea40261f576dd_1528449514617_0Forms of work

1. Individual work.

2. Group work.

Lesson stages

Introductionm2f0ea40261f576dd_1528450127855_0Introduction

The students present their knowledge status about the Moon. The gathered information they write on the board.

What do you know about the Moon?

Procedurem2f0ea40261f576dd_1528446435040_0Procedure

The teacher introduces the concept of the Moon as the natural Earth’s satellite.

The Moon is the natural satellitenatural satellitenatural satellite of the Earth. Its mean distance from the Earth is 384405 km. There is no water, and practically no atmosphere on the Moon.

Definition:
A natural satellitenatural satellitenatural satellite is any celestial body that orbits around another larger object. A natural satellite orbiting planets are called moons.

Orbital periodorbital periodOrbital period:
The Moon orbits the Earth. If we measure the motion of the Moon around the Earth in relation to the distant stars then we speak of the sidereal period of its revolution. The moon moves completely around the celestial sphere in about 27,3 days as observed from the Earth.

If the motion of the Moon is consider relative to the Sun then we speak of the synodic period. The synodic period is the time required to return to the same position relative to the Sun as seen by an observer on the Earth (i.e. time between the same moon phases). The synodic period is 29,5 days.

OrbitorbitOrbit:
The Moon revolves around Earth in an ellipticalellipticalelliptical orbit which is tilted of about 5⁰ in respect to the Earth’s orbit. Hence, the Moon's centre‑to‑centre distance from the Earth varies with mean values of 363396 km at perigeeperigeeperigee to 405504 km at apogeeapogeeapogee.

Definition:
PerigeeperigeePerigee – the point in the orbitorbitorbit of the Moon at which it is closest to the Earth.

Definition:
ApogeeapogeeApogee - the point in the orbitorbitorbit of the Moon at which it is furthest from the Earth.

[Interactive graphics]

[Illustration 1]

The figure shows the mutual position of the orbits of the Moon and the Earth. The axes of the Earth and the Moon are inclined to the planes of their orbits. The angle between the orbital planes of the Earth and the Moon is called inclination.

Surface of the Moon:
The surface of the Moon is covered with the dark and lights areas. The dark areas are called maria. They cover about 17% of the Moon’s surface. The place where for the first time the astronauts landed is Mare Tranquilitatis (Sea of Tranquillity). The maria are large, dark, basaltic plains formed by ancient volcanic eruptions. Early astronomers were convinced that they are seas (Latin; singular: mare, plural: maria). The light areas between maria, highlands, are covered by large number of impact and volcano craters, lava, and mountains. Highlands have no names, but the craters are named for famous figures in the history of science.m2f0ea40261f576dd_1527752263647_0The surface of the Moon is covered with the dark and lights areas. The dark areas are called maria. They cover about 17% of the Moon’s surface. The place where for the first time the astronauts landed is Mare Tranquilitatis (Sea of Tranquillity). The maria are large, dark, basaltic plains formed by ancient volcanic eruptions. Early astronomers were convinced that they are seas (Latin; singular: mare, plural: maria). The light areas between maria, highlands, are covered by large number of impact and volcano craters, lava, and mountains. Highlands have no names, but the craters are named for famous figures in the history of science.

Definition:
SelenographyselenographySelenography – introduced by Galileo, is the study of the surface and physical features of the Moon.

[Illustration 2]

Task 1

Search in the internet and find:

1. some examples of lunar seas,
2. what the largest crater on the Moon is.

Lesson summarym2f0ea40261f576dd_1528450119332_0Lesson summary

The Moon is a natural satellite of the Earth. Moon revolves around Earth in an elliptical orbit which is tilted of about 5⁰ in respect to the Earth’ orbit. Its sidereal period is about 27,3 days and synodic is 29,5 days.m2f0ea40261f576dd_1527752256679_0The Moon is a natural satellite of the Earth. Moon revolves around Earth in an elliptical orbit which is tilted of about 5⁰ in respect to the Earth’ orbit. Its sidereal period is about 27,3 days and synodic is 29,5 days.

Selected words and expressions used in the lesson plan

natural satellitenatural satellitenatural satellite

orbital periodorbital periodorbital period

perigeeperigeeperigee

apogeeapogeeapogee

tilttilttilt

selenographyselenographyselenography

highlandhighlandhighland

ellipticalellipticalelliptical

orbitorbitorbit