Contrary to what some people might believe, the moon does not shine by its own light. The moonlight we see actually comes from sunlight reflected off the moon's surface. David Abbou/THE FREE LANCE-STAR Visit the Photo Place

Earth and moon operate in amazing synch

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The Moon--our neighbor in space

Date published: 1/3/2008

AS THE CLOSEST astronomical object to Earth, the moon has been a constant source of fascination. It guided navigators and assisted timekeepers before the advent of modern technology. Its phases and surface patterns intrigued and inspired poets, scientists, and lay people throughout the centuries.

The moon is the Earth's only natural satellite and is about one-fourth the size of our planet. It is very close to the Earth by astronomical standards--an average distance of 238,855 miles. It would take about 5 months to get to the moon if you could drive a car there at a constant speed of 60 mph. If you flew an airplane to the moon, it would take about three weeks to get there. The Apollo astronauts got there in only a few days since they were traveling at much higher speeds than commercial aircraft. At the speed of light, a trip to the moon would take only 1.2 seconds.

Regardless of how long it takes to get there, you would weigh one-sixth of your earthly weight on the moon because of its weaker gravity.

The moon and Earth are bound by gravity, and the moon's gravitational attraction is what causes the tides on the Earth. The moon also helps maintain the Earth's 23.5 degree tilt, thus stabilizing our climate.

The same side of the moon always faces the Earth because the time it takes for the moon to orbit the Earth and make one complete rotation on its axis are the same duration--27.3 days. The Earth and moon are truly synchronized in more ways than we realize!

Contrary to what some people might believe, the moon does not shine by its own light. The moonlight we see actually comes from sunlight reflected off the moon's surface. If you could see the moon and Earth from high above their orbits, you would notice they were always half-lit.

However, viewing the moon from the Earth's surface makes things more interesting as the moon's orbit around the Earth and our consequent changing viewing angle causes the moon's different phases.

Date published: 1/3/2008