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Lunar Mare Definition

Lunar mare are large, dark areas on the moon formed by ancient volcanic eruptions. For example, the dark spots visible from Earth are maria.

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Moon & Its Phases

LESSON MATERIALSmove

Fun Facts

  • Volcanic activity on the moon stopped a few billion years ago.
  • Early astronomers thought lunar maria were seas, but they are not made of water.
  • Maria are impact basins filled with lava.

Why Do We Need To Know About Lunar Mare

Learning about lunar mare helps us understand the moon’s history and why it’s important for science. Lunar mare were made by old volcanoes and show us how volcanoes and asteroids changed the moon. This helps scientists learn about the moon and life in space.

This information is useful for space trips, taking care of the environment, and even for people who work with the ocean. For example, knowing how the moon’s pull affects ocean tides is important for studying sea life and planning how to protect the environment, showing how useful knowing about lunar mare can be.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes the moon to look like it is changing shape?
As the moon orbits the earth, the sun always shines on half of it, but from Earth we may only see part of that illuminated surface. The phase we see depends on where the moon is in its orbit around the Earth.
Where does the light of the moon come from?
The moon is lit by the sun. It is important to remember that the moon does not make its own light, it only reflects light from the sun.
What makes the moon and sun look like they are the same size?
The moon is smaller than the sun but it is also 400 times closer. That makes it seem like it is the same size as the sun.
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