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le: The Incredible Shrinking Moon In elementary school, we all learned that the moon is slowly drifting away from Earth. However, what we didn't know is that the moon is actually getting smaller every year. Scientists say that the moon is shrinking at a rate of about 0.04 inches every year. This might sound like a small amount, but over millions of years, it adds up. As a result, the moon has shrunk by over 1,000 feet in diameter over the past billion years. The shrinking of the moon occurs because it's still geologically active. The moon's interior is still cooling and contracting, causing the surface to crack and form wrinkles. These wrinkles are called "thrust faults," and they're visible on the moon's surface. One of the most notable examples of these thrust faults can be found on the moon's surface near a place called Hadley Rille. In 1971, NASA's Apollo 15 mission landed near Hadley Rille, giving scientists their first close-up look at these lunar wrinkles. The astronauts collected samples of rock and soil from the moon's surface, which were later analyzed by scientists on Earth. It's important to note that the moon's shrinking won't have any significant impact on Earth. It's still millions of miles away, and the gravitational pull between the two celestial bodies won't change. However, the shrinking moon does provide us with new insights into the history and future of our solar system. In conclusion, while it may seem like the moon is a static object in the sky, it's actually a dynamic and fascinating world that's constantly changing. The fact that it's getting smaller every year only adds to its mystique and intrigue. So next time you look up at the moon, remember that it's not just a big rock in the sky, but a complex and ever-evolving celestial body.
