The Moon orbits Earth at a speed of 2,288 miles per hour...but this still isn't fast enough to keep up with or equal the orbit of the Earth around the Sun. The Moon will orbit the Earth about 13 times per year. So at that speed it takes the Moon about 27.3 days to make one orbit around the Earth. What makes the Moon orbit the Earth slower than the Earth? It's the Sun... the Sun plays a dominant role in disturbing the Moon's motion. The ever changing distances and the positions between the Sun, Moon, and Earth, the tilt of the Moon's orbit, the roundness of Earth, and (to a lesser extent) the gravitational attraction of the other planets all act to throw the Moon's orbit into a constant state of change. Many people are surprised to see the Moon out during the day. A lot of people just expect the Moon to shine at night, yet it is completely normal for the Moon to be out during the day. Because Earth rotates, the moon can be seen roughly above the horizon 12 hours out of a 24 hour Earth rotation. We can see the moon easily about 6 hours a day. This phenomenon of being able to see the Moon during the day is a natural part of its Lunar Cycle. The Moon is always reflecting light from the Sun, and it is the closest, largest, object to the Earth. The relationship of the Earth and Moon is kind of like a "slow dance"....Students that study the Moon begin to recognize that the Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. However, due to the orbit of the Moon it isn’t in the same place in the sky every day and night; it is actually moving in location. The Moon rises in the east and sets in the west due to Earth's rotation, just like the Sun. If you can't find the Moon at night, it's probably either coming up in the east or you missed it. The Moon has already set in the west!
8 Comments
OLIVER ROPER
9/4/2018 04:02:08 pm
Somehow when i see the moon in the day it makes me happy.
Reply
canyon murie
9/4/2018 04:16:02 pm
i like moon stuf
Reply
Dublin Dougherty
9/4/2018 04:17:56 pm
Stuff
Reply
Dublin
9/4/2018 04:16:15 pm
I like moon stuff
Reply
not cnayon muire
9/4/2018 04:17:40 pm
I love moon stuf
Reply
Keegan.m.
9/4/2018 05:33:19 pm
The moon is intriguing!
Reply
Audrey
9/4/2018 07:18:51 pm
I think the Moon is amazing:)
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Mrs. TaylorI love science! Everything about the world is interesting and never boring. I love to study plants, animals, insects, and people. My favorite subjects are my students who are the most unique organisms on the planet! Categories |