Amazing Facts About Earth's Largest Satellite

You don't need a telescope to appreciate the beauty of the moon. Despite it's massive size, we only get to see a fraction of the moon from Earth. The total surface area of the moon is approximately 9.4 billion acres, which is over four times the total combined distance of land in the United States.
Here are 16 other incredible facts about the earth's only natural satellite you should know about.

1 ) The Moon Can Turn You Into a Better Golfer

That was the case, at least, for astronaut Alan Sheppard. He was able to drive a ball over 2,400 feet off the surface of the moon, nearly a mile in distance!

2) The Moon Makes Us Lose Sleep

Do you ever lie awake, tossing and turning at night? Sleeping becomes a bit more difficult when the bright glowing light of the moon comes directly in contact with our eyes. Studies suggest that the bright glow can keep you awake for an extra 20 minutes as a result.


3) The Soviets Were Near It First

Although the United States was the first to set a human foot on the moon, it was actually the Soviets who were the first to reach out to the moon. The Luna 3 was a Soviet designed spacecraft that snapped several photos of the moon back in 1959.

4) Dark Side of the Moon

A lunar eclispe occurs when the Earth is trapped between the sun and the moon. The shadow of the Earth blocks the light from the sun, which is then reflected off the moon. The next lunar eclipse is set for April 4, 2015.

5) The Moon is Responsible for Our Calendar

It takes the moon the course of an entire month to orbit the Earth. Without the presence of the moon, the average day on Earth would last between six to eight hours long.

6) Garbage on the Moon



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