Our World: The Moon’s Impact on Earth

The Moon impacts Earth through tides and moonlight. NASA missions to the Moon continue to help us discover more about our nearest neighbor. Learn more about Moon mapping and resources.

Discussion and Writing Prompts:

1. The Moon influences many natural processes on Earth.  How would Earth be different if it did not have a Moon?Use evidence from the video to predict at least two changes that might occur and explain why they would happen.

2. The Earth and Moon are part of an interconnected system. And while the Moon may seem far away, it has a significant impact on our daily lives. What are some examples from the video that show how changes with one can affect another? Why is it important for us to understand the Earth-Moon system?

Background Information

Grades 3 through 12

• NASA eClips Our World: The Stories Moon Rocks Tell (video)
• NASA eClips Our World: Moon Phases (video)
• NOAA SciJinks What Causes Tides? (webpage/video)
• Lunary and Planetary Institute We're Going to the Moon -- Moon Posters (webpage)

Grades 4 through 12

• NASA In Depth: LADEE (webpage/interactive)
• NASA LCROSS (webpage)
• NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (webpage)
• NASA What is LCROSS, The Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite? (webpage)
• NASA Earth's Moon (webpage)
• NASA Earth’s Moon Resources (webpage/interactives)
• NASA Tides (webpage)
• NASA NASA's Exploration Campaign: Back to the Moon and on to Mars (webpage)

Grades 6 through 12

• NASA eClips Launchpad: Moon Magic (video)

Activities

Grades K through 5

• Lunar and Planetary Institute Dance of the Moon and Oceans
• Lunar and Planetary Institute Explore! Marvel Moon
• Lunar and Planetary Institute Explore! To the Moon and Beyond
• Lunar and Planetary Institute Facing the Moon
• Lunar and Planetary Institute Penny Moon
• NASA Exploring the Moon: A Teacher's Guide for Exploring Earth and Space Sciences
• NASA Field Trip to the Moon
• NASA Forward to the Moon Explorer Activities
• NASA LRO Educator Resource Kit
• NASA Solar System Exploration: Earth's Moon

Grades K through 8

• NASA Build Your Own Cutout Moon
• NASA Earth's Moon Toolkit