What is the moon?
The moon is a giant rock that orbits Earth. It has no wind or air, but it does have water! In 2018, scientists were able to detect ice in the areas of the moon that are always stuck in a shadow. In 2020, NASA confirmed that water exists on the surface in areas where the sun shines.
Sources: NASA, World Book Student
How did it come to be?
For a long time, scientists were not sure how the moon was formed. However, after the Apollo 11 astronauts brought back samples of the moon from their trip in 1969, they concluded that it formed after a huge collision. About 4.5 billion years ago when the solar systems was still young, a giant object the size of Mars slammed into Earth, creating two bodies. Watch the supercomputer simulation from NASA to see what happened next! (Find this video on the right side of the page.)
Moon Statistics
The moon is about 2,160 miles across and 238,855 miles away from Earth. It orbits around the Earth once every 27 days, and each year it moves about one inch farther away from Earth. In the sun, the temperature can be about 260 degrees Fahrenheit, and in the darkness, the temperature drops to about -280 degrees Fahrenheit.
Source: NASA
The Moon's Surface
The moon has small craters all over it from where meteoroids, comets, and asteroids have slammed into it. The moon has only a thin exosphere, which does not protect the moon from colliding with different objects. The moon also has hills and mountains in and around the craters. There are some dark spots on the moon called maria, which is Latin for "seas." These maria are giant craters that were filled with lava between 1.2 and 4.2 billion years ago. Now the whole surface of the moon is practically covered in rock and dust from all of the objects that have hit it over time.
Sources: NASA, World Book Student
Gravity on the Moon
Long ago, Sir Isaac Newton discovered that the more mass an object has, the more gravitational pull it creates. The moon has much less mass than Earth, so its gravity is weaker than Earth's. As a result, objects on the moon weigh less than objects on Earth. In fact, the moon's gravity is only about 1/6 that of Earth's.
Sources: National Geographic Kids UK, Earth Observatory
Have you ever noticed that the moon looks different on different nights? That's because as the moon orbits around Earth different parts of it are lit up by the sun. Sometimes the moon looks like a tiny crescent, and sometimes it's a giant ball. The moon has eight different looks, or phases, in the night sky. It takes about 27.3 days for the moon to orbit Earth, but there are about 29.5 days between new moons because of how the sunlight hits the moon. Here are the moon phases:
Learn more about the phases of the moon at NASA's SpacePlace website.
Source: NASA
A lunar eclipse is an event that happens when the moon passes through Earth's shadow during a full moon. Lunar eclipses happen twice each year. During a lunar eclipse, the moon appears to turn red. Unlike a solar eclipse, it is safe to watch a lunar eclipse with your eyes, binoculars, or a telescope.
Source: Kiddle
Long ago indigenous people tracked the seasons through lunar cycles, and names were given to the moon cycles each month. Different tribes used different names. Over time, European settlers borrowed the tradition and gave the moon cycles names, some of which aligned with the indigenous people's names and others that did not. Today, we give each full moon throughout the year a different name.
| January: Full Wolf Moon | July: Full Buck Moon |
| February: Full Snow Moon | August: Full Sturgeon Moon |
| March: Full Worm Moon | September: Full Harvest Moon or Full Corn Moon |
| April: Full Pink Moon | October: Full Hunter's Moon |
| May: Full Flower Moon | November: Full Beaver Moon |
| June: Full Strawberry Moon | December: Full Cold Moon |
Learn why the moons were given these names along with many of the original indigenous moon names in the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Did you know that the moon is responsible for shifting the tides? As the moon's gravity pulls on Earth, it moves Earth's mass around a bit. The water closest to the moon and directly on the other side of the planet are drawn out like an oval. When a shoreline passes through the tip of the oval, it experiences a high tide. Meanwhile, the areas perpendicular to the high tide spots experience low tide. Each day, shorelines pass through the tips of the oval twice, creating two high tides and two low tides. Although the moon is mostly responsible for the tides, the sun also plays a role. To learn more about tides, be sure to visit the Tides page on NASA's website.
Source: NASA
The Moon by
Check out the moon--in all its phases--in this new Level 4 Penguin-Smithsonian nonfiction reader. There are myths about it. Men have landed on it. Just about everybody has gazed at it in wonder. But what is the moon? Where did it come from? What's it made of? Find out in this lively reader about the celestial body that's so familiar and yet so mysterious.
The Moon Changes Shape by
Young children are naturally curious about the world around them. Tell Me Why The Moon Changes Shape t offers answers to their most compelling questions about the lunar phases. Age-appropriate explanations and appealing photos encourage readers to continue their quest for knowledge. Additional text features and search tools, including a glossary and an index, help students locate information and learn new words.
Below is a sample of available ebook titles on the moon. Additionally, Explora houses footage of the Apollo 11 moon landing from the Associated Press.
The Apollo Missions for Kids by
In 1961, President Kennedy issued a challenge: before the end of the decade, the United States would land a person on the moon and return him safely to Earth--a bold proclamation at the time given that only one US astronaut had ever been to space, for just 15 minutes. To answer President Kennedy's call, NASA embarked on the Apollo missions: a complicated, dangerous, and expensive adventure involving 400,000 people. Before the missions were over, NASA astronauts had made eleven Apollo flights, six of which landed on the moon, and eight astronauts had lost their lives. The Apollo Missions for Kids tells the story of this pivotal era in space exploration from the perspective of those who lived it--the astronauts and their families, the controllers and engineers, and the technicians and politicians who made the impossible possible. The book includes a time line, resources for further study, and places to visit to see Apollo mission artifacts, along with 21 hands-on activities to better understand the missions and the science behind them. Kids will: Determine what they would weigh on the moon Learn to identify the moon's features Demonstrate orbital mechanics with a marble and a shallow bowl Calculate how far away the moon is using sports equipment Recreate the shape and size of the command module Eat like an astronaut and make "space food" Design a mission patch And much more!
Moon: Small-But-Mighty Neighbor by
A full-color nonfiction picture book to introduce kids ages 5 through 8 to our closest cosmic neighbor--the moon! The moon is one of the smaller celestial objects in the universe, but it has some very important jobs. Without it, Earth would be a very different place! In The Moon: Small-but-Mighty Neighbor, kids ages 5 to 8 learn how the moon formed, how it keeps the Earth steady, and why it has no life beyond rare visits from humans. Narrated by the character of the Universe, this story offers up clearly stated scientific explanations designed to gets kids excited about astronomy, covering topics such as the moon's phases, eclipses, and humans' long history of watching the moon. A hands-on project, glossary, and a poem offer more opportunities for learning and language connections, while two alien commentators make the whole package delightful and hilarious. Perfect as a read aloud or for beginner readers! The Moon: Small-but-Mighty Neighbor is part of a set of four books in the Picture Book Science series that explore our incredible solar system. Other titles in this series include The Stars: A Gazillion Suns;The Earth: One-of-a-Kind Planet; andThe Sun: Shining Star of the Solar System. Provides layered text and back matter that encourage more in-depth discovery Promotes a sense of awe and wonder in astronomy Uses humor to engage children's attention Promotes cross-curriculum learning through poetry Includes a hands-on, science-minded project to help support and reinforce deeper learning Meets Next Generation Science Standards in Earth's Place in the Universe and Space Systems: Patterns and Cycles for grades K through 3. About the Picture Book Science series and Nomad Press Nomad Press books in the Picture Book Science series present real-world examples of science topics kids find fascinating! These nonfiction picture books consist of engaging narratives paired with detailed, accurate illustrations and layered text that offers ample opportunity for discussion and reflection. Elementary-aged children are equipped to recognize basic science concepts and identify the different ways they are demonstrated in real life, while being impressed with the idea that science is a constant part of our lives and not limited to classrooms and laboratories. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.
Natural Satellites by
For centuries, astronomers have placed a special importance on the other planets of the solar system. But with the advent of spacecraft and the tremendous missions undertaken by the Voyager and Cassini probes, astronomers have discovered that the natural satellites of the planets--the solar system's moons--are some of the most extraordinary places imaginable. There are moons with towering geysers, erupting volcanoes, and subterranean oceans of warm, mineral-rich water. Some of the highest mountains and deepest canyons can be found on moons. There are moons that have shattered into pieces and then reassembled. There is even a moon where it rains rocket fuel. Recently, scientists have turned to moons for answers in their investigations of the origins of the solar system and the evolution of life on our own planet. Featuring full-color, scientifically accurate illustrations by NASA artist Ron Miller, Natural Satellites: The Book of Moons chronicles these investigations and the questions we have yet to answer in our exploration of the solar system's moons.
Earth and the Moon by
It's time to explore space! Learn all about the history and science of Earth and its moon, all the way back to the beginning of time. Detailed diagrams and in-depth text along with backmatter comprehension questions will engage readers to explore everything our galaxy has to reveal.
Moon by
Did you know that the Moon does not make its own light? It reflects the Sun's light. Discover more in Moon, a title in the Space Systems: Patterns and Cycles series.
The Moon by
In this book, early fluent readers will learn about the Moon’s unique characteristics. Vivid, full-color photos and carefully leveled text engage young readers as they learn more about the Moon’s defining features, composition, atmosphere, gravity, exploration attempts, and more. Take a Look! infographics feature a diagram showing the Moon’s location in the solar system as well as a diagram showing the Moon’s composition. Sidebars present interesting, supplementary information, and an activity offers readers an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about the Moon using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. The Moon also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index. The Moon is part of Jump!’s Our Solar System series.
The Moon Seems to Change by
Explains the phases of the moon--the changes that seem to happen to it as it goes around Earth.
Bok's Giant Leap by
First man on the moon Neil Armstrong's only children's book is a unique exploration of how the Earth and the Moon came to be. The entire epic history of the Earth and the Moon is recounted through the observations of one special moon rock named Bok. Geologists say that rocks remember, and Bok certainly does. It recounts how its life began on Earth, until a collision with an asteroid catapults it into orbit during the creation of the Moon. From the Moon's surface, Bok watches the developing planet change from afar--until a strange creature scoops him up and brings him back to Earth. When NASA honored Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong and gave him a piece of moon rock from that mission, Armstrong playfully named the rock Bok in his acceptance speech. Award-winning illustrator Grahame Baker-Smith has created a breathtaking, one-of-a-kind picture book based on that speech, combining fascinating science and history with the grandest human adventure of all.
How We Got to the Moon by
LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD . YALSA EXCELLENCE IN NONFICTION FINALIST . A ROBERT F. SIBERT HONOR BOOK This beautifully illustrated, oversized guide to the people and technology of the moon landing by award-winning author/illustrator John Rocco (illustrator of the Percy Jackson series) is a must-have for space fans, classrooms, and tech geeks. Everyone knows of Neil Armstrong's famous first steps on the moon. But what did it really take to get us there? The Moon landing is one of the most ambitious, thrilling, and dangerous ventures in human history. This exquisitely researched and illustrated book tells the stories of the 400,000 unsung heroes--the engineers, mathematicians, seamstresses, welders, and factory workers--and their innovations and life-changing technological leaps forward that allowed NASA to achieve this unparalleled accomplishment. From the shocking launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik to the triumphant splashdown of Apollo 11, Caldecott Honor winner John Rocco answers every possible question about this world-altering mission. Each challenging step in the space race is revealed, examined, and displayed through stunning diagrams, experiments, moments of crisis, and unforgettable human stories. Explorers of all ages will want to pore over every page in this comprehensive chronicle detailing the grandest human adventure of all time!
Moon! Earth's Best Friend by
From writer Stacy McAnulty and illustrator Stevie Lewis, Moon! Earth's Best Friend is a light-hearted nonfiction picture book about the formation and history of the moon--told from the perspective of the moon itself. Meet Moon! She's more than just a rock--she's Earth's rock, her best friend she can always count on. Moon never turns her back on her friend (literally: she's always facing Earth with the same side!). These two will stick together forever. With characteristic humor and charm, Stacy McAnulty channels the voice of Moon in this next celestial "autobiography" in the Our Universe series. Rich with kid-friendly facts and beautifully brought to life by Stevie Lewis, this is an equally charming and irresistible companion to Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years and Sun! One in a Billion.
The Moon's Time to Shine (StoryBots) by
Just in time for the 50th anniversary of the moon landing! The inquisitive robots from the award-winning StoryBots apps, videos, and Emmy Award-winning Netflix show star in a Step 1 reader that is over the moon! Children will recognize the signature catchy rhymes and colorful art from the StoryBots' popular YouTube video "The Moon's Time to Shine." They will learn that the moon orbits Earth, that--in spite of glowing brightly--it doesn't make its own light, and more! Step 1 readers feature big type and easy words for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading. Rhyming text is paired with picture clues to help children decode the story.
Our Moon by
Since the dawn of human existence, people have gazed up at the night sky and wondered about the moon. Here the veteran nonfiction author Elaine Scott skillfully presents a wealth of captivating, kid-friendly information, covering everything from the newest theories on how the moon formed, to the recent, startling discovery of water on its surface and the very real possibility of future moon colonies. Illustrated with stunning, full-color photographs and packed with fun facts, this is the most complete and up-to-date book available on the moon and should find a home on every curious child's bookshelf. Includes glossary, bibliography, and index.
Ladders Science 5: Exploring above and Beyond (on-Level)
A collection of articles linked together by the topic of exploring the solar system
Luna by
Explore the moon from all angles, from its place in the night sky and our solar system to its role in shaping human history and culture. Through gorgeous illustrations and photography, see the moon like you've never seen it before. Read myths of the moon's creation from around the world. Discover the science of how the moon actually formed. Learn all about the moon's effects on Earth's tides and imagine what the world would be like without them. Take a look at moon-men hoaxes from history and find out how scientists may actually colonize Earth's closest neighbor. Weaving together science and myth, history and technology, Luna is perfect for anyone who's ever imagined walking on the moon, wondered about the night sky, or been captivated by a thrilling werewolf story.
To the Moon and Back by
In celebration of the Apollo 11 Mission's 50th Anniversary, experience the awe and excitement of humankind's first steps on the moon! In this exclusive, exquisite pop-up adventure, readers follow astronaut Buzz Aldrin's story as he encounters the "magnificent desolation" of Earth's only satellite firsthand. Preeminent paper engineer Bruce Foster brings to life what it was like to blast off into space and take the first steps on the moon through intricate pop-ups and paper folds. Including Buzz Aldrin's firsthand accounts of the mission, historical context, stunning images, and unique personal perspectives, this book is an informative and collectible work of art--perfect for budding astronauts and grandparents hoping to share their memories of the moon landing with the young explorers in their lives.
NOTE: The Creative Lab located within the Unity Foundation Teen Space at the St. Louis County Library offers patrons access to a Cricut Maker 3 machine. See the Unity Foundation Teen Space page for more information.