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THE UNIVERSE: Amazing Facts About The Moo

Through history the Moon has been a desirable object of study for humanity. Here are some interesting facts about it.

1. The dark side of the Moon is a myth

THE UNIVERSE: Amazing Facts About The Moon

In reality both sides of the Moon see the same amount of sunlight; however, only one face of the Moon is ever seen from Earth. This is because the Moon rotates around on its own axis in exactly the same time it takes to orbit the Earth, meaning the same side is always facing the Earth.

2. The Moon is drifting away from the Earth

THE UNIVERSE: Amazing Facts About The Moon

The Moon is moving approximately 3.8 cm away from our planet every year. It is estimated that it will continue to do so for around 50 billion years. By the time that happens, the Moon will be taking around 47 days to orbit the Earth instead of the current 27.3 days.

3. A person would weigh much less on the Moon

THE UNIVERSE: Amazing Facts About The Moon
The Moon has much weaker gravity than the Earth, due to its smaller mass, so you would weigh about one sixth (16.5%) of your weight on the Earth. This is why the lunar astronauts could leap and bound so high in the air.

4. The Moon has quakes

THE UNIVERSE: Amazing Facts About The Moon
These are caused by the gravitational pull of the Earth. Lunar astronauts used seismographs on their visits to the Moon, and found that small moonquakes occurred several kilometres beneath the surface, causing ruptures and cracks. Scientists think the Moon has a molten core, just like the Earth.

5. The Moon will be visited by men in the near future

THE UNIVERSE: Amazing Facts About The Moon
NASA plans to return astronauts to the Moon to set up a permanent space station. Mankind may once again walk on the Moon in 2019, if all goes according to plan.

6. The Moon has no atmosphere

THE UNIVERSE: Amazing Facts About The Moon
This means that the surface of the Moon is unprotected from cosmic rays, meteorites and solar winds, and has huge temperature variations. The lack of atmosphere means no sound can be heard on the Moon, and the sky always appears black.