This fun hands-on moon crater experiment is a great introduction to learn about Galileo Galilei and his discover of Jupiter’s moons. Add it to my Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for a fun study.
On January 7th, 1610, Jupiter’s first four moons were discovered by Galileo Galilei through a homemade telescope.
It is one of Galileo Galilei’s most important contributions to science.
The 4 Galilean Moons are named lo or Jupiter 1, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.
Earth has 1 moon, but did you know that there are over 200 moons in our solar system?
Most of the major planets, except Mercury and Venus have moons.
Even Pluto and some of the other dwarf planets have small moons. Some asteroids even have moons.
If you look up at our moon, even with the naked eye you can see craters.
These craters were formed when rocks or comets smashed through space to hit the surface of the Moon.
And we’re going to do a fun moon crater experiment, but first look at these fun facts about Galileo Galilei
Facts about Galileo Galilei and the Jupiter Moons
- Galileo Galilei was born in the year 1564.and he was born in the town of Pisa, in what is now Italy.
- His father was Vincenzio Galilei who was a cloth merchant and musician.
- Although Galileo’s dad wanted him to be a doctor, Galileo was good in math and didn’t want to be a doctor.
- He invented the telescope and realized his telescope could magnify things to be large.
- One of his first observations was the moon. At that time people thought the moon was smooth. However, Galileo said the moon was full of bumps and craters.
- In 1592, Galileo became a professor of mathematics at the University of Padua.
- One of the many things that set Galileo apart was that he believed in the Copernican system. There were 3 things he believed was 1 ) rotation of the earth on its axis 2) that the planets revolve around the sun and 3) conical axial motion of the earth to explain a fixed earth’s orientation in space.
- Ganymede is the largest moon in the Solar System, is larger than the planet Mercury.
- Io or Jupiter 1 is covered in volcanoes and lava.
- Europa is covered in ice and has a huge saltwater sea beneath the ice.
- Callisto is thought to be a dead world with hardly any geologic activity on its surface.
- 57 more of Jupiter’s moons have been given names and the rest are waiting.
Also, add some moon vocabulary words.
Moon Vocabulary Words
Additionally, learn moon vocabulary words which can be added to your lapbook.
For example, look at these moon vocabulary words below.
- Moon (Answer: A celestial body that makes an orbit around a planet)
- Celestial (Answer: A natural object that exists outside of the earth’s atmosphere)
- Orbit (Answer: The path an object makes around a particular point in space, like around the earth)
- Crater (Answer: Holes on the surface of moons caused by the impact of meteoroid)
- Lunar (Answer: Something that is related to the moon)
- Revolve (Answer: To move in a circle around a fixed point)
Too, here are some fun books and resources.
12 Resources and Books For Studying About the Moon and Galileo
If you want to focus on the moon in your astronomy and space unit study, add one of these fun resources to your day.
Like Michelangelo, Galileo is another Renaissance great known just by his first name--a name that is synonymous with scientific achievement. Born in Pisa, Italy, in the sixteenth century, Galileo contributed to the era's great rebirth of knowledge. He invented a telescope to observe the heavens. From there, not even the sky was the limit!
This newly revised edition, available in time for the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, incorporates new, up-to-date information based on recent discoveries, and includes an updated map of the moon's surface. Thoroughly vetted by an astrophysics expert, The Moon Book is a perfect introduction to lunar phases, orbit, the history of space exploration, and more.
Sixteenth century Italy produced a genius who marked the world with his studies and hypotheses about mathematical, physical and astronomical truths. His father, musician Vincenzio Galilei said, “Truth is not found behind a man’s reputation. Truth appears only when the answers to questions are searched out by a free mind. This is not the easy path in life but it is the most rewarding.” Galileo challenged divine law and the physics of Aristotle, and questioned everything in search of truths. And it was through this quest for truth that he was able to establish a structure for modern science.
It’s the perfect light nonfiction book for young stargazers—and an ideal bedtime book, ending with a giant moon hovering over a sleepy town hunkered down for bed.
Novelty Moon Lighting: Realistic Colorful Star Galaxy printed 🌌 Moon Lamp with advanced 3D technology. Now decorate your bedroom, hall, office or desk with our Space Theme gorgeous Galaxy Lamp. Your guests will definitely admire the beauty of this lively moon light.
Quality Optics: 400mm(f/5.7) focal length and 70mm aperture, fully coated optics glass lens with high transmission coatings creates stunning images and protect your eyes. Perfect telescope for astronomers to explore stars and moon.
Everything about Jupiter is big! Its size is big. Even its storms are big! Get the big and small facts about this gas giant that can be seen glowing in the night sky.
Astronomer, physicist, and philosopher Galileo Galilei was referred to as "The Father of Modern Science," because of his groundbreaking research. Making observations about nature, and using mathematics to back them up, he proved the Copernican Theory true: the Sun, not the Earth, is the center of the universe. Join Galileo on his pioneering journey to see why his work had such long-lasting implications, and why the Catholic Church even condemned him for heresy.
Imagine that you're walking on the moon. What is it like? For thousands of years people looked up at the moon and wondered about it. Now we know what the moon is like. There is no air on the moon and nothing grows, but there are towering mountains and deep craters—and much more.
Colder than the desert, the hotter than the desert, the moon is an amazing place to explore.
What would it be like if the moon was your friend? Find out as you walk alongside a little boy who journeys through life to achieve his dream of becoming an astronaut. And then blast off with your little one as you zoom to the moon together!
The story begins when a little boy, who is flying his kite, notices a sad Moon. He sends up kites to her, writing notes promising he will come see her someday. This promise propels him through years of studying, learning, and training to become an astronaut. Until … he finally goes up, up, up in a big rocket ship with a fiery tail.
A Kite for Moon:
- Features over 20 gorgeous illustrations by award-winning artist Matt Phelan
- Is the perfect storybook for children ages 4 to 8
- Celebrates every child’s fascination with space
You could also grab these meteorite specimens (artificial) to let your child use for impact craters!
Meet Moon! She's more than just a rock―she’s Earth’s rock, her best friend she can always count on. Moon never turns her back on her friend (literally: she's always facing Earth with the same side!). These two will stick together forever. With characteristic humor and charm, Stacy McAnulty channels the voice of Moon in this next celestial "autobiography" in the Our Universe series. Rich with kid-friendly facts and beautifully brought to life by Stevie Lewis, this is an equally charming and irresistible companion to Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years and Sun! One in a Billion.
Additionally, look at these hands-on moon activities and space and astronomy activities.
Moon Activities and Space and Astronomy Ideas
- Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages
- Make a fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark) to display with more craters.
- Track the moon cycles with my Free Moon Journal.
- Quick astronomy and space study.
- What a fun moon craft. 3-D Light Up Moon with Tissue.
- Make an EASY Straw Rocket
Also, add this fun hands on Exploring Space and Astronomy Lapbook.
And these minibooks can be used for notebooking pages or a lapbook.
Finally, do this fun moon crater experiment with your kids.
Moon Crater Experiment
You will need:
- A round shallow dish
- Baking flour
- Different sizes of weighted objects- rocks, marbles, etc.
Directions:
First, place a round dish on the floor.
Too, take this outside so the mess is easier to contain as the flour will spread and settle out a bit.
Smooth the flour a bit by hand or with a paintbrush.
Have your child drop the objects from various heights to recreate the impact of comets and rocks hitting the moons surface.
You could also grab these meteorite specimens (artificial) to let your child use for impact craters.
Carefully remove the objects and point out to your child how the objects colliding into the surface left impressions in much the same way impacts in space leave craters.
Smooth your “moons” surface and repeat as many times as your child wants.
