AND YET IT MOVES

Did You Know These 10 Crazy Lunar Facts?

Credit: Mahdi Soheili

Humanity has been enamored with the Moon since ancient times. Our closest celestial body not only has captivated human imagination and scientific inquiry like no other, but it might also be partly responsible for our existence.

From cataclysms of cosmic proportions to the possibility of liquid water, and the mysteries behind its lack of atmosphere, there is a wealth of facts to explore about our dearest companion in the Universe. Get ready to embark on a journey to the far side of the Moon!

Credit: Brian McGowan

The Moon’s gravity is about one-sixth that of Earth’s, meaning that objects and people weigh significantly less on the lunar surface. This lower gravity affects everything from movement to the behavior of liquids and dust.

The reduced gravity poses unique challenges and opportunities for lunar exploration and habitation. Astronauts on the Moon can leap higher and carry heavier loads than on Earth, but long-term exposure to low gravity requires careful consideration for human health and engineering design.

Credit: Lou Batier

The Moon isn't actually white but rather a dark, charcoal gray. It only appears bright because of its high albedo, or the efficiency with which it reflects sunlight.

Despite its dark color, the Moon reflects about 12% of the sunlight that hits it, which is enough to make it appear bright against the backdrop of space. This high reflectivity is due to the regolith, the layer of dust and crushed rock on the lunar surface, which scatters sunlight effectively.

Credit: NASA

Unlike Earth, the Moon doesn't have tectonic plates, but it experiences moonquakes -seismic tremors caused by tidal forces from Earth. These quakes can last for up to an hour and can reach a magnitude of about 5 on the Richter scale.

Scientists first detected moonquakes during the Apollo missions, and recent studies using data from seismometers left on the Moon by astronauts have provided valuable insights into its internal structure and composition.

Credit: NASA

The Moon's pockmarked surface not only reflects its tumultuous history but also underscores its crucial role as Earth's protector. Without the Moon, our planet would have endured far more frequent impacts from asteroids and comets.

And, as any dinosaur might tell you, it’s never a good thing to be relentlessly pounded by space rocks. Also, these lunar craters serve as portals to the Moon's ancient past, preserving a record of cosmic impacts that shaped planetary evolution.

Credit: Nadiia Ploshchenko

The Moon's gravitational pull doesn't just affect ocean tides -it also stabilizes Earth's axial tilt, which influences our planet's climate and seasons over geological time scales. Without the Moon, Earth's tilt could vary dramatically, leading to extreme climate fluctuations.

This stabilizing effect has profound implications for the development and sustainability of life on Earth. Some scientists even believe that, without the Moon, there might not even be life as we know it.

Credit: Alexander Andrews

The Moon's orbit around Earth isn't perfectly circular, leading to subtle changes in its appearance called libration. This phenomenon allows us to see slightly more than half of the Moon's surface over time, revealing glimpses of its far side.

Librations have been observed since the time of Galileo, enabling astronomers to gradually map the entirety of the Moon's surface and study its geological features in detail.

Credit: Ricardo Gomez Angel

For decades, scientists believed the Moon was bone-dry. However, recent discoveries have revealed traces of water molecules trapped in lunar soil and ice deposits in permanently shadowed craters near the poles.

These findings have profound implications for future lunar exploration, as water is essential for sustaining human life and producing rocket fuel. Mining lunar water could enable long-term lunar habitation and expedite missions to Mars and beyond.

Credit: Arto Marttinen

The leading theory for the Moon’s formation is the Theia Hypothesis, which suggests it was created from debris left after a Mars-sized body, Theia, collided with Earth about 4.5 billion years ago.

This colossal impact would have ejected vast amounts of material into orbit around Earth, which eventually coalesced to form the Moon. This hypothesis explains many aspects of the Earth-Moon system, such as the Moon’s composition and its relatively large size compared to other natural satellites.

Credit: NASA

While Earth is surrounded by a dense atmosphere that protects life and moderates temperatures, the Moon has an exosphere -a very thin layer of gases like helium, neon, and hydrogen atoms. This sparse atmosphere offers little protection from the harsh environment of space.

However, according to NASA, approximately 4 billion years ago the Moon possessed a relatively thick atmosphere. It was about twice as dense as Mars' current atmosphere, leading some to speculate that it might have been capable of supporting life, although no evidence of life has been discovered. Over time, this atmosphere was stripped away by solar winds and gradually dissipated into space.

Credit: Ryan Holloway

Shockingly, the Moon is gradually drifting away from Earth at a rate of about 1.5 inches per year. This process, driven by tidal interactions, has been occurring for billions of years. As the Moon moves away, its gravitational influence on Earth’s tides weakens slightly, and Earth's rotation slows down.

But don't get sad! This process is so slow that long before the Moon has a chance to slip away completely, the Sun's expansion into a red giant will likely engulf most of the solar system, including Earth. Yeah, it might not be the happiest of endings, but still.

TIME TO GIVE THE PBJ SANDWICH A REST

Sandwich School 101: 10 Mouth-watering Treats You Can Make At Home

Credit: Raphael Nogueira

Everybody knows how to make a sandwich. You stick a bunch of ingredients between two pieces of bread and that’s it, right? If you are in a hurry and need to eat something, an improvised sandwich will probably do the trick. But there are many variations and combinations of the original recipe that can make the experience a much more enjoyable one. Take a look at the following ten and see if you can add one to your sandwich repertoire.

Credit: Eaters Collective

Try a glorious combination that adds the freshness of the apple to classic sandwich ingredients. You will need 2 slices of any hearty white sandwich bread or other crusty bread, sliced about 1⁄2 inch thick, 2 tablespoons of Dijon-style or maple mustard, 2 slices deli-style Swiss cheese, 2 ounces of deli-style smoked turkey, 1 large Granny Smith apple, cored and thinly sliced, and 2 to 3 tablespoons butter.

Start by placing a skillet over medium-low heat. Lay four slices of bread on a flat surface. Top each with ½ tablespoon of mustard, followed by one slice of Swiss cheese. Add 2 ounces of smoked turkey and three to four apple slices. Then, top with the remaining cheese and bread. Butter the top of each sandwich and place the butter side down on the hot skillet. Butter the remaining side, then cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until the bread turns golden brown and the cheese melts.

Credit: Hillshire Farm

A vegetarian-friendly sandwich, the Triple-Play Grilled Cheese requires 2 slices of fresh sourdough or good sandwich bread, 4 to 5 teaspoons of cream cheese, Dijon-style mustard, 1⁄3 cup of loosely packed shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese, 2 to 3 very thin slices of ripe tomato, 1⁄3 cup of loosely packed shredded Havarti cheese, and 1 tablespoon of softened butter or mayonnaise.

Start by smearing one slice of bread with half of the cream cheese and mustard, and cover it with the cheddar cheese. Then, lay on two or three slices of tomato, and cover with the Havarti cheese. After that, smear the other slice of bread with the remaining cream cheese, add more mustard, and place it, cream cheese side down, on the Havarti cheese. Place the sandwich on a hot skillet and cook it for 2 to 3 minutes.

Credit: Eaters Collective

Sandwiches in Vermont farms can be exquisite, as this recipe shows. You will need 2 slices of whole wheat bread, brown mustard, horseradish, some sliced roast beef or other meat, a raw sliced yellow onion, and cheddar cheese.

Start by spreading one piece of bread lavishly with mustard and the other with a very thick layer of horseradish. Then, add the meat, several slices of onion, and two slices of cheddar cheese. Assemble the sandwich and enjoy.

Credit: Gardie Design & Social Media Marketing

A classic sandwich, the Croque Monsieur has been around for quite some time and deserves every bit of the appreciation it receives. To make one at home, you will need 2 slices of white or sourdough bread, 1 slice of Gruyere cheese, 1 slice of smoked ham,

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 egg, 1/4 cup milk, and 2 tablespoons butter.

Start by heating a large griddle over medium heat. Then prepare one ham-and-cheese sandwich, spreading the mustard on one slice of bread only. In a shallow bowl, beat the egg and milk together. Dip both sides of the sandwich in the egg mixture. Melt the butter and grill the sandwich, flipping once.

Credit: Ola Mishchenko

Just like the PBJ, this is one of those sandwiches with a name that describes its contents. To make a Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella sandwich, you will need 1 small loaf of French bread, 1 tablespoon of basil pesto (which you can substitute with olive oil), 1 large ripe tomato, sliced, salt and pepper, 2 slices of mozzarella cheese, and some fresh basil leaves.

Start by slicing the French bread on the diagonal, making at least a dozen slices. Coat one side of each slice of bread with pesto or olive oil. Then, layer on the tomato slices, season with salt and pepper, add the mozzarella slices and fresh basil leaves. Top with a second piece of bread, and you’re done!

Credit: Scott Hendrickson

Sandwiches can be a gourmet food, and the French Toast Cordon Bleu is solid proof. To make one of these, you will need 2 slices of ham, 1 slice of mozzarella cheese, 2 slices of Portuguese bread or Brioche, 1 egg, 1 cup of milk or cream, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg, and some confectioners' sugar.

Prepare a normal sandwich with the ham, cheese, and bread. Then combine the egg, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon, and holding the sandwich together, dunk it into the milk and egg, but don’t soak it. Grill on both sides until golden brown. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve with maple syrup.

Credit: Dan Burton

Pita pockets are a great way to eat a sandwich with less bread. To make this delicious treat, you will need 1 well-drained can of tuna, 1 small firm apple, peeled, cored, and diced, 2 tablespoons of chopped sweet onion, 1 small stalk of diced celery, 1 teaspoon of curry powder, 1/2 a teaspoon of ground cumin, 1/4 cup of jalapeno jelly and 2 pita pockets.

Start by combining the tuna, apple, onion, and celery in a small bowl. Then, in a separate bowl, stir together the curry, cumin, and jalapeno jelly, add to the tuna, and mix well. Warm the pitas, cut open, and put the mix inside. Done!

Credit: Yoad Shejtman

The Super Steak Sandwich won’t disappoint you. You will need vegetable oil, a cup of beer, 1 chopped garlic clove, 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon of Dijon-style mustard, 1 beef flank steak, a tablespoon of butter, 1 sliced onion, 1 cup of sliced mushrooms, 1/4 teaspoon of paprika, 1 large loaf of French bread, and cheese (choose your favorite).

Start by combining the oil, beer, garlic, pepper, salt, and mustard in a medium bowl. Marinate the steak overnight in the refrigerator. In a large skillet, melt the butter and sauté the onion and mushrooms with the paprika until tender and lightly browned; keep warm while cooking the steak. Remove the steak from the marinade and broil or grill for about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Slice the meat diagonally into 1/4-inch pieces. Cut the French bread into two equal pieces, then cut each piece in half horizontally. Divide the onion-mushroom mixture evenly among two pieces of bread, top with meat, and cover with the remaining bread.

Credit: Youjeen Cho

This fresh take on a classic adds an ingredient that has already been present in some of the previous recipes. To make this tuna sandwich, you will need 1 can of well-drained chunk tuna, 2-3 tablespoons of mayonnaise, 2-4 slices of red onion, 1 Golden Delicious or Granny Smith sliced apple, some lettuce, and 2-4 slices of Cheddar cheese.

Mix the tuna, mayonnaise, onion, and apple together. Place a slice of lettuce on 1 piece of bread, then spread the tuna over it. Top with the cheddar cheese. Broil the sandwich without closing it and serve.

Credit: Amber Fisher

Anything tastes better with bacon, and sandwiches are not an exception. To make this bacon sandwich, you will need 6 rashers of rindless back bacon, 1 white country loaf, butter, 3 tablespoons of tomato chutney, and 1 large garlic clove, peeled and cut in half.

Start by heating a frying pan, then cook the bacon for 3 minutes each side or until golden and crisp. Then, cut 6 thick slices from the loaf and butter each one on one side. Spread the chutney evenly over 3 slices of the bread and then top each with 2 rashers of bacon. Top with the other slices of bread, buttered side down, and then press together. Put the sandwiches on the pan for 2 more minutes, rub the cut sides with the garlic clove, and serve.

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