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Our
Moon
-
Current
best formation theory
-
impact
with Mars-sized object
-
contrast:
-
Galilean
satellites probably formed with Jupiter
-
Triton
probably captured by Neptune
-
After
formation, didn't do much but get cratered
-
number
of craters indicates age of surface
-
most
active cratering soon after solar system formed
-
some
craters erased by lava flows
-
lava
probably released by large impacts, not volcanos
-
The
moon's gravity raises tides on the Earth
-
distorts
Earth into football shape
-
two
high tides per day
-
tidal
forces of earth on moon slowed moon's rotation so same side always faces
Earth
-
Synchronous
rotation
-
most
other moons have synchronous rotation
-
tidal
forces responsible for heating of moons around larger planets (e.g. Io)
Mare
Imbrium
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