Use the Starry Night Enthusiast \({ }^{\mathrm{TM}}\) program to examine the Moon. Select Solar System > Moon from the Favourites menu. (If desired, remove the image of the astronaut by clicking on Feet in the View menu) You can rotate the image of the Moon by placing the mouse cursor over the image, holding down the mouse button, and moving the mouse. (On a two-button mouse, hold down the left mouse button.) (a) From what you can see in the image, what evidence can you find that the Moon is geologically inactive? Explain. (b) Spreading outward from some of the largest craters on the Moon are straight lines of lightcolored material called rays that were caused by material ejected outward by the impact that caused the crater. Rotate the Moon around to see the entire illuminated surface. Can you find any rays on the Moon? Zoom in on the Moon to examine various surface features such as craters and mountain ranges. Estimate the length of several rays extending from craters by measuring their length on the screen with a ruler and comparing them to the diameter of the Moon, which is about 30 minutes of arc when seen from Earth. Collaborative Exercise

Step by step solution

01

Examine the Moon

Use the Starry Night Enthusiast program to examine the moon. Select Solar System > Moon from the Favourites menu. To rotate the image, place the mouse cursor over the image, hold down the mouse button, and move the mouse.

02

Analyzing Geological Activity

From the observed characteristics of the Moon's image such as its terrain and craters, formulate your answer to whether the Moon demonstrates signs of geological activity or not. Evidence for geological inactivity includes the lack of active volcanoes, lack of noticeable earthquake activities, etc.

03

Checking for Rays

Rotate the Moon around to see the entire illuminated surface. Look for rays, which are straight lines of light-colored material spreading from some large craters on the Moon. These are often caused by material ejected outward by the impact that caused the crater.

04

Zooming In on the Moon

Zoom in to examine various surface features such as craters and mountain ranges.

05

Measuring the Rays

Measure the length of several rays extending from craters by measuring their length on the screen with a ruler. Compare this length to the diameter of the Moon, which is about 30 minutes of arc when seen from Earth. Record your findings.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Crater Ray Analysis

Crater ray analysis is an important aspect of understanding the geological processes on the Moon. When you look at the lunar surface through programs like Starry Night Enthusiast, you may notice various craters with distinctive features known as 'rays.' These rays appear as straight lines of light-colored material emanating from craters. They are the result of material that was ejected during the impacts that created the craters.

How do scientists analyze these rays? They measure the rays to gain insights into the size and impact of meteor collisions. Rays of extensive length suggest a more significant impact. By comparing the size of the rays to the Moon's diameter, scientists can estimate the amount of energy it took to form the crater and the rays. For a practical understanding of this, you can use the software to rotate the lunar surface and observe these rays in detail. Measure their length using a ruler on the screen, then compare it to the known diameter of the Moon to get a relative sense of just how massive these features are.

Lunar Surface Examination

Examining the lunar surface provides invaluable clues about our Moon's history and development. The lunar highlands, maria, craters, and rays all tell a tale of a body that has been bombarded with a multitude of celestial objects. In programs such as Starry Night Enthusiast, you get a three-dimensional perspective that allows you to observe these features in detail.

When zooming in, you might notice differences in crater sizes, which indicate the diversity in the impacting bodies that have collided with the Moon over time. Mountain ranges on the Moon, albeit not as prominent as those on Earth, also reflect the intense geological processes from the early stages of the Moon's development. While examining the surface closely, look for patterns or anomalies that could signify past geological activity or significant impact events.

Geological Inactivity Evidence

Current evidence points towards the Moon being geologically inactive. Unlike Earth, it doesn't exhibit signs such as active volcanoes or frequent seismic activity that could indicate a dynamic inner core. Furthermore, the lunar surface is characterized by the presence of numerous impact craters that have remained virtually unchanged for millions of years.

When studying the Moon with Starry Night Enthusiast, pay attention to these features. The ancient craters, without evidence of erosion or lava flows that would imply recent activity, help confirm the Moon's inactivity. Since there's no wind or water on the Moon to alter these craters, they serve as a historical record, preserved much as they formed. An in-depth examination of these silent craters provides compelling evidence that the Moon's geological activity ceased a long time ago.