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The lunar surface is not regular, it is full of craters and holes that can be seen from planet Earth as "spots" presenting different shades. There are several theories about how these were created.
If you like our natural satellite and curiosities, you have come to the right place. In Green Ecologist we will talk to you about all the theories about the appearance of these craters on the lunar surface for you to discover why does the moon have holes and learn much more. Take note!
The Moon: what it is, composition and phases
The Moon is the natural satellite of our planet and it is the 5th largest satellite in the Solar System, because it has a radius of 3,474 km and is composed mainly of oxygen, silicon, magnesium, iron, calcium, aluminum, chromium, titanium and manganese. As for its internal structure, like the Earth, it has a core, mantle and crust. It is believed that the lunar nucleus is composed of iron, sulfur and some other element, while its mantle is practically a rocky layer formed by iron and magnesium, and a greater variety of elements can be found in the crust.
This satellite is synchronized with the Earth, so that it is in a rotational movement with respect to it, traveling an oval orbit and taking 27.3 days to make a complete revolution. It is this movement that gives rise to the moon phases.
When the Moon is located between the Earth and the Sun, it is eclipsed by the light of the Sun, so we cannot see it, we know this phase as the New Moon. When the Earth is the one that is located between the Moon and the Sun, the Moon is illuminated by which we can see it completely, this phase being a full Moon and when the Moon is in an intermediate position we can only observe a quarter, known these phases as a first or last quarter depending on the size of the illuminated part visible from the earth.
Its gravitational influence produces alterations in the tides. This fact, together with its prominence in the sky and its regular cycle, have made this satellite an object of great cultural influence both in the calendar, as well as in language, art and mythology.
Why does the Moon have holes - the answer
Formerly it was thought that the Moon had holes as a cause of the existence of large volcanoes that were already inactive, which was logical due to the similarity between the vents of the volcanoes and the lunar craters, both circular and surrounded by mountainous reliefs. However, while the lunar crater is at ground level, the vents of the volcanoes are located at the top of the mountain. This difference meant that the theory described above was not accepted so that research and hypotheses continued to be developed.
An American astronomer put forward the currently accepted theory. He stated that lunar holes are the result of meteorite collision at high speed, originating the notches that today we observe as holes or craters. In fact, the Moon has not always been as we observe it today.
This theory defends that, initially, the Moon was constantly growing because its gravitational force attracted the rocks, dust and asteroids that floated around it, so that these either became part of its structure or collided with it leaving the craters that we observe from the ground. As this process slowed down, the radioactive elements of some rocks and dust attracted caused the formation of lava flows that eliminated some craters, giving rise to huge dark areas, which were again deformed more recently by the continuous collision of meteors that it occurs in the universe.
One fact that defeats this theory is that satellites and space probes that the human being has sent into space, they also present these notches or traces.
Other curious facts about the Moon
Although from Earth we observe the Moon with a characteristic brightness or radiance, the truth is that, the moon has no light of its own. What we observe is simply the reflection of light from the Sun. To get an idea, it is the same effect that snow has, which is capable of reflecting 100% of the light that falls on it, however, the Moon only it is capable of reflecting only 7%. In this other Green Ecologist article we tell you more about Why the Moon shines if it does not have its own light.
The moon is not round, has an oval shape, due to its rotational movement and acceleration. In fact, this same acceleration of its orbit is causing it to gradually distance itself from the earth about 3.8 cm per year.
The atmosphere of the Moon is very thin. Causing that there is no equilibrium in its temperature, so that it ranges from 134 ° C in the sunniest areas and -153 ° C in the darkest. In addition, there is hardly any wind or precipitation and therefore neither the erosion of the craters and lunar relief.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why does the moon have holes, we recommend that you enter our category of Curiosities of the Earth and the universe.
