MOON

 THE MOON

The Moon is our closest neighbour and the only place in the Solar System, other than Earth, that humans have set foot on. The Moon is desert-like, with plains, mountains and valleys, and a black sky. It is covered with craters, because there is no atmosphere to protect it from space rocks.

MOON LANDING

Twelve people have walked on the Moon, the first being Neil Armstrong. People have driven cars on the Moon, called Lunar Rovers, and even played golf!

FACTS

On July 20 the first astronaut landed on the moon

MOON EXPLORATION

 People last visited the Moon in 1972, but the footprints they left will last for millions of years because there is no wind to wave them off: This means future Moon explorers will be able to see them also

SOLAR ECLIPSE

 The Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, the Moon briefly blocks out light from the Sun, causing an eclipse to be seen on Earth

HOW THE MOON FORMED

Scientists think the Moon was formed when the Solar System was very young and an object about the size of Mars collided with the young Earth They think the Moon is debris from the collision, pulled together in Earth's orbit by gravity and gravity