How Well Do You Know the Moon? – A Fun Lunar Quiz

What is the primary reason the same side of the moon always faces Earth?

• The moon doesn't rotate at all
• Earth's magnetic field has locked the moon in place
• Earth's gravity has caused the moon's rotation and its orbit around us to sync up
• The moon's core is magnetic and aligns itself with Earth

Approximately how far away from Earth does the moon orbit on average?

• 38,000 kilometers
• 384,399 kilometers
• 3,800,000 kilometers
• 38,000,000 kilometers

Compared to Earth's gravity, what is the moon's surface gravity approximately?

• One-tenth
• One-sixth
• One-half
• The same

What is the widely accepted scientific theory for how the moon formed?

• It was captured by Earth's gravity
• Earth and the moon formed simultaneously from the same cloud of gas and dust
• The moon broke off from a rapidly spinning early Earth
• A giant impact occurred between Earth and a Mars-sized body called Theia

Does the moon have an atmosphere?

• Yes, a thick atmosphere, much like Earth's
• Yes, a thin atmosphere, primarily composed of nitrogen
• Yes, a very, very thin exosphere, which is almost a complete vacuum
• No atmosphere whatsoever

What is the term for the large, dark plains on the near side of the moon?

• Highlands
• Craters
• Maria
• Rills

What is the name of the largest known impact crater on the moon and the second largest confirmed in our entire solar system?

• Mare Imbrium
• Tycho Crater
• South Pole-Aitken Basin
• Mare Tranquillitatis

Evidence suggests the presence of water in what form on the moon?

• Vast underground oceans
• Liquid water flowing on the surface
• Water ice in permanently shadowed craters at the poles and water molecules bound in minerals
• Water vapor throughout its atmosphere

How does the moon primarily influence the Earth?

• By causing earthquakes
• By influencing Earth's weather patterns
• By being the main driver of Earth's tides
• By stabilizing Earth's magnetic field

What is a supermoon?

• A full moon that appears blue in color
• A full moon that occurs during a lunar eclipse
• A full moon that appears larger and brighter because it is closer to Earth and its orbit at its perigee
• A full moon that is visible for two consecutive nights