Satellites and Lunar Phenomena
Satellites are objects that orbit around larger celestial bodies and can be either natural or artificial. Understanding the differences between these types of satellites and their properties is essential for grasping their roles in space exploration and everyday life.
Natural vs. Artificial Satellites:
- Natural satellites form in space and are captured by a planet's gravitational field
- Artificial satellites are man-made and launched into orbit for specific purposes
- The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite, while examples of artificial satellites include the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station
Properties of the Moon:
- Smaller mass than Earth
- Lower gravitational field strength
- Surface covered in craters caused by colliding rocks
Vocabulary: Eclipse - An astronomical event where one celestial object moves into the shadow of another.
Artificial Satellites:
- Polar satellites orbit over Earth's poles at altitudes of 200-1000 km
- They have quick orbital periods of 100 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes
- Used for weather monitoring, military applications, and Earth photography
- Travel at speeds of 8000 m/s
Highlight: Artificial satellites serve various purposes such as telecommunications, weather forecasting, satellite navigation systems, and even espionage.
Phases of the Moon: The Moon's appearance changes throughout its orbit around Earth, resulting in different phases visible from our planet. These phases include:
- New Moon
- Waxing Crescent
- First Quarter
- Waxing Gibbous
- Full Moon
- Waning Gibbous
- Last Quarter
- Waning Crescent
Definition: Waxing refers to the increasing illumination of the Moon's visible surface, while waning refers to the decreasing illumination.
Understanding these concepts helps us appreciate the complexity of our solar system and the technological advancements that allow us to explore and utilize space for various purposes.
