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ALL ABOUT THE MOON FOR COMPETITIVE EXAM

 THE MOON-

**    The moon is the only satellite of the Earth.

**    It has a diameter of 3475 km and its circumference is 10,864km while its orbit is Elliptical.

**    The maximum Distance of the moon from the earth is 4,06,000 km, the minimum distance is 3,64,000 km, and the approximate average distance is 3,84,400 km. 

**    It takes 27 days, 7 hours, and 43 minutes to rotate on its axis and approximately the same period of time it takes to revolve around the earth. The moon's period of revolution with reference to the sun is about 29.53 days (29 days 12 hours 44 minutes and 2.8 seconds). This period is called a synodic month.

**    Only 59% of the total surface of the moon is visible from the earth.

**  Mass(compared to that of the Earth)-1:81.30

**  Density(Relative to that of the water)-3.34

**  Density(Relative to that of the Earth)-0.6058

**  Hidden part of Moon's surface- 0.41(41%)

** Highest point on the Moon- Mt. Leibnitz(35,000Ft.) situated on the south pole of the Moon.

**    The bright part of the moon is full of mountains whereas the dark patches are low-lying plains.

**    ' Sea of tranquility ' made of the plain of dust particles is on the rear side of the moon, which always remains dark. 

**    The moon has no atmosphere, no twilight, and no sound. 

**    The temperature during the daytime is about 100 degrees C and during night time it drops down to about -180 degrees C.

**    The light from the moon takes 1.3 seconds to reach the Earth.

**    The size of the moon is one-fourth (1/4 th )the size of the Earth.

**    Gravitational pull of the moon is one-sixth(1/6 th) that of the Earth.

**    Mainly silicon, iron, magnesium, etc elements are found on the moon's surface.

**  The study of the moon is called 'Selenology'

**    Moon is also known as the Fossil planet.

TYPES OF MOON

1. SUPER MOON- 

It happens when a full moon is closest to the Earth, appearing bigger and brighter than Normal. It is called super because it is 15% brighter and 30% bigger than the regular full moon.

2. BLUE MOON-

 If in a calendar month there are two full moons then the second full moon is referred to as the Blue moon. It is because of the gap between the two moons which is less than 31 days. If in any specific year Blue moon appears in two or more than two months then it is referred to as the Blue moon year.

3. BLOOD MOON- 

It is the name given for a view of the moon during a total lunar eclipse. Because of the way light passes through the Earth's atmosphere during an Eclipse, red light from the sun is reflected on it. The Moon's reddish color earns it the nickname- "Blood Moon". 

4. LUNAR TETRAD- 

A sequence of four total lunar eclipses including no partial eclipses is called a Tetrad.