satellite earth since prehistoric times attracted people's attention.The moon - this is the most conspicuous object of the sky after the Sun, but because it has always been attributed to an equally significant properties as the day-star.Centuries later replaced the worship of mere curiosity and scientific interest has come.The waning full moon and rising - is now the objects of scrutiny.Thanks to the research of astrophysicists we know a lot about the satellite of our planet, but there are many and unknown.
Origin
moon - a phenomenon so common that the question of where it came from, almost does not occur.Meanwhile, it is the origin of the satellite of our planet - one of the most significant of its secrets.Today, there are several theories on this subject, each of which boasts the presence of both evidence and arguments in favor of its insolvency.The data obtained are three main hypotheses.
- Moon and Earth formed from a protoplanetary cloud.
- fully formed Moon was captured by the Earth.
- led to the formation of the Moon Earth's collision with a large space object.
Consider these versions in more detail.
Joint accretion hypothesis
joint origin (accretion) of the Earth and its satellite was recognized in the scientific world more believable to the early 70-ies of the last century.For the first time it put forward another Immanuel Kant.According to this version, the Earth and Moon were formed almost simultaneously from the protoplanetary particles.Space bodies represented in this binary system.
first began to form Earth.Once it has reached a certain size, around by the force of gravity began circling particles of the protoplanetary swarm.They began to move in elliptical orbits around the object originated.Some of the particles fall to the ground, while others have faced and stuck together.Then the orbit gradually became more and more closer to the circular and of a cluster of particles began to form the germ of the Moon.
Pros and Cons
Today, the hypothesis of a joint origin has more denials than evidence.She explains the same oxygen isotope ratio of the two bodies.Questionable are put forward the hypothesis causes different composition and the Moon the Earth, in particular, the almost complete lack of iron in the final volatiles.
Guest afar
In 1909, Thomas Jefferson Jackson C has been hypothesized gravitational capture.According to her, the moon - a body formed somewhere in another solar system.Its elliptical orbit intersects the trajectory of the Earth.At the next approximation of the moon it was captured by our planet and become a companion.
in favor of the hypothesis of scientists led quite common myths of the peoples of the world, telling about the time when there was no moon in the sky.Also the theory of gravitational capture indirectly confirms the existence of a solid surface on the satellite.According to Soviet studies, the Moon has no atmosphere, if it revolves around our planet for several billion years, it was to be covered multimeter layer of dust falling from outer space.However, we now know that on the surface of the satellite is observed.
hypothesis may explain the small amount of iron on the moon: it can be formed in the region of the giant planets.However, in this case it must be a large concentration of the volatile substances.In addition, the results of the simulation of gravitational capture its possibility seems unlikely.The body of this mass as the Moon, probably would face our planet, or be expelled from the orbit.The gravitational capture could only happen in the event of a very close passage of a future satellite.However, in this embodiment, the more likely it becomes destruction under the influence of the Moon tidal forces.
giant impact
third of the above hypothesis is today considered the most plausible.According to the theory of a giant collision, the moon - is the result of interaction between the Earth and a fairly large space object.The hypothesis was proposed in 1975 by William Hartmann and Donald Davis.They suggested that the young Earth had time to gain 90% of its mass, faced protoplanet called Teyey.Its size corresponds to the modern Mars.As a result of the impact, which came on the "edge" of the planet, almost all of the substance of the earth Teyi and was ejected into space.This "building material" was formed the Moon.
hypothesis explains the modern Earth's rotation rate and angle of inclination of its axis and the many physical and chemical parameters of both bodies.The weak point of the theory is given its reasons for low levels of iron in the Moon.To do this, before the collision in the depths of both bodies had come full differentiation: the formation of an iron core and a silicate mantle.To date, evidence has been found.Perhaps the new data on the Earth's satellite will clarify this issue.However, there is a possibility that they can refute the hypothesis adopted today the origin of the Moon.
Basic parameters
to modern people the Moon - it is an integral part of the night sky.Its distance today is about 384,000 kilometers.This option is slightly changed as the motion of the satellite (range - from 356 400 to 406 800 km).The reason lies in an elliptical orbit.
satellite of our planet moves through space at a speed of 1.02 km / s.A full revolution around our planet it makes for about 27.32 days (sidereal or sidereal month).Interestingly, the attraction of the Moon the Sun is 2.2 times stronger than the Earth.This and other factors affect the motion of the satellite: the reduction of the sidereal month, changing the distance from the planet.
axis of the Moon has a slope of 88 ° 28 '.The period of rotation is sidereal month and that is why the satellite is always turned to one side of the planet.
reflective
can be assumed that the moon - is a star located very close to us (in childhood such an idea could have a lot).However, in reality it does not have many options that are specific bodies such as the Sun or Sirius.So, sung by all the poets of the romantic moonlight - a reflection of the sun.The satellite does not radiate.
lunar phase - a phenomenon associated with the absence of her own light.The visible part of the satellite in the sky is constantly changing, consistently passing four phases: new moon, increasing month, the full moon, and waning moon.This stage of the synodic month.It is calculated from one new moon to another and lasts an average of 29.5 days.Sidereal synodic month increase, as the Earth moves around the Sun as the satellite and all the time necessary to make up for some distance.
Many Faces
first phase in the cycle of the moon - this is the time for an observer on earth the satellite is not in the sky.During this time he faces the planet dark, unlit side.The duration of this phase - a day or two.Then, in the western part of the sky appears monthly.The moon - this is only a thin crescent at a time.Often, however, you can watch the entire disk of the satellite, but less bright, painted in gray.This phenomenon is called the gray color of the moon.Gray drive next to a bright crescent - it's part of the satellite, lit by the rays reflected from the surface of the Earth.
After seven days from the beginning of the cycle comes the next phase - the first quarter.At this time, the Moon lit exactly half.A characteristic feature of phase - a straight line separating the dark and lighted area (in astronomy, it is called "terminator").Gradually it becomes more convex.
14-15 day cycle of the full moon.Then, the visible part of the satellite begins to decrease.On day 22 begins the last quarter.In this period it is also often possible to observe the color of ash.The angular distance of the Moon from the Sun is placed less and after about 29.5 days, it is again completely disappears.
Eclipse
With the features of the motion of the satellite around the planet a few related events.The plane of the Moon's orbit is inclined to the ecliptic by an average of 5,14 °.This situation is not typical for such systems.As a rule, the satellite orbit lies in the plane of the planet's equator.The intersection points of the ecliptic path of the moon are called ascending and descending nodes.They do not have accurate fixation continuously, although slowly moving.Approximately 18 units are full ecliptic.Due to these features, the Moon returns to one of them through a period of 27.21 days (called dracontic month).
With the passage of the satellite points of intersection with the axis of the ecliptic related phenomenon of the eclipse of the moon.This phenomenon not often pleasing (or sorry) we are, but it has a certain periodicity.Eclipse occurs at the moment when the full moon coincides with the passage of one of the satellite nodes.Equally interesting "coincidence" occurs infrequently.The same is true for the match of the new moon, and the passage of one of the nodes.At this time, the solar eclipse happens.
observations astronomers have shown that both phenomena are cyclical.The length of the period is equal to a little more than 18 years.It is called a cycle of Saros.During one period occurs 28 lunar and solar eclipses 43 (13 of them - complete).
Impact night lights
Since ancient times, the moon was considered one of the rulers of human destiny.According to the thinkers of the period, it affects the character, attitude, mood and behavior.Today, the action of the moon on the organism being studied scientifically.Various studies show that the dependence of some of the behavior and health of the phases of the night light exists.
For example, doctors in Switzerland for a long time watching the malfunctions in patients with cardiovascular system, have found that a growing moon - this is a dangerous time for people predisposed to a heart attack.Most of the attacks on their data coincided with the appearance of the night sky the new moon.
There are a number of similar studies.However, the collection of such statistics - is not the only thing that interested scientists.They tried to find an explanation for identification of patterns.According to one theory, the moon has on human cells is the same effect as the whole earth: causes tides.As a result, the influence of the satellite change fluid and electrolyte balance, membrane permeability, the ratio of hormones.
Another version gives priority to the effects of the moon on the planet's magnetic field.According to this hypothesis, the satellite is changing electromagnetic pulse of the body, which entails certain consequences.
specialists, the opinion about the huge impact on our night lights are recommended to build its operations, aligning it with the cycle.They warn: lights and lamps, overlapping the moonlight, can harm human health because of their body is not getting the information about the change of phase.
The Moon
After becoming acquainted with the night luminary from Earth will walk on its surface.Luna - the satellite is not protected from sunlight atmosphere.Happy surface is heated to 110 ° C, and at night it cools down to -120 ° C.At the same time temperature fluctuations are typical for a small area of the cortex of the cosmic body.Very low thermal conductivity prevents warm bowels of the satellite.
can say that the moon - is the earth and the sea, vast and little explored, but have their own names.The first maps of the moon's surface appeared in the seventeenth century.Dark spots, previously hosted overseas, after the invention of the telescope were low plains, but will retain its name.The lighter areas on the surface - a "continental" area of hills and ridges, often ring-shaped (craters).On the Moon you can meet the Caucasus and the Alps, Sea crisis and Serenity, Ocean of Storms, Bay of Joy and the Swamp Rot (bays on the satellite - the seas adjacent to the dark areas, swamps - small patches of irregular shape), as well as the mountains of Copernicus and Kepler.
It was only after the beginning of the space age was explored side of the Moon.This happened in 1959.Data from a Soviet satellite, have allowed to map hidden from telescopes of the night lights.It also sounded great names: KETsiolkovsky, SPQueen YuGagarin.
completely different
lack of atmosphere makes the moon so not similar to our planet.The sky is never tightened clouds, its color does not change.On the moon, the astronauts on the head only the starry dome.The sun rises slowly and slowly moving across the sky.Day on the Moon lasts almost 15 Earth days, so is the length of the night.Twenty-four hours equal to the period for which satellite of the Earth makes one revolution around the Sun, or the synodic month.
The satellite of our planet there is no wind and rain, as there is no smooth flow of day to night (dusk).In addition, the moon is constantly under threat of falling meteorites.On the number of indirect evidence regolith that covers the surface.This is the layer of debris and dust thickness of up to several tens of meters.It consists of crushed, mixed and sometimes fused remains of meteorites and lunar rocks destroyed them.
When looking at the sky, you can see the still and always on the same spot hanging Earth.Beautiful, but almost never changes the picture is due to the timing of rotation of the moon around the planet and its axis.This is one of the most wonderful sights that had seen astronauts first landed on the surface of the satellite.
famous
There are times when the moon - a "star" is not only of scientific conferences and publications, but also all kinds of media.Huge interest for a large number of people are some fairly rare phenomenon associated with the satellite.One of them - it Supermoon.It takes place in the days when the night light is at the short distance from the planet, and in a phase of full moon or new moon.Night Light thus visible 14% larger and 30% brighter.In the second half of 2015 Supermoon can be observed on August 29, September 28 (the day will be the most impressive Supermoon) and 27 October.
Another interesting phenomenon is associated with periodic hit night lights in the Earth's shadow.The satellite does not disappear from the sky, and turns red.Astronomical events became known as Bloody Moon.It is a rare phenomenon, but fans of the modern cosmos lucky again.Blood Moon will ascend above the Earth in 2015 several times.The last of them will be in September and will coincide with a total eclipse of the night lights.This is exactly worth seeing!
night light has always attracted people.Month and full moon - is the central images in many poetic essays.With the development of scientific knowledge and methods of astronomy satellite of our planet became interested not only astrologers and romantics.Many facts from the time of the first attempts to explain the moon "behavior" are understood, a large number of satellite secrets were disclosed.However, night light, like all space objects, is not as easy as it may seem.
Even American expedition failed to answer all the questions put before it.At the same time every day scientists learn about the moon is something new, although the findings are often generate more doubts about the existing theories.So it was with the hypothesis of the origin of the Moon.All three main concepts that are recognized in the 60-70-ies have been refuted by the results of the American expedition.Soon became the leading giant impact hypothesis.Most likely, in the future we will have a lot of amazing discoveries related to nocturnal luminary.
