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Our moon is a natural satellite. Unlike the robotic satellite's that send T.V. signals and science data back to Earth, natural satellites were there long before people. We just kind of borrowed the name satellite when we first started launching spacecraft into Earth orbit.
WHAT'S IT LIKE ON THE MOON?
From the moon, Earth looks four times bigger than a full Moon. If you looked in the right places on the moon, you would find pieces of equipment, American flags and even a camera left behind by astronauts.
The moon is covered with craters. Because it has no atmosphere to protect it, space rocks - some as big as mountains - have smashed into it. Tycho Crater is more than 52 miles (85 km) wide! The moon's surface is rocky and covered with dust. It looks a lot like Mercury.
The moon's weak gravity means it is easy to move around, even in a heavy spacesuit. It is impossible for people to explore the Moon without a spacesuit. There is no air. And radiation from the Sun is very dangerous.
It gets very hot and very cold on the moon. When the Sun is shining, the moon sizzles at 265 F (130 C). It can drop down to 170 F (110 C) below zero.
![Challenge Graphic](images/kids_challenge.gif) | MOON CHALLENGE
Find five books in the library with the word "moon" in the title. Pick one to read. |
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Missions to Earth's Moon
Featured Mission: Ranger 7
Ranger 7 sent back 4,316 amazing images as it plunged towards the Moon. It was the coolest thing on T.V. in 1967.
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090826080002im_/http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/images/spacer_white.gif) |
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