All terms are real unless marked with a Φ to indicate a thing or idea that doesn't exist...yet!
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |Acceleration: A change in speed or direction. A vehicle like a car or spacecraft accelerates when speeding up, slowing down, or turning. [See: Acceleration Gravity.]
Acceleration Gravity: A reaction force that feels just like gravity. Acceleration gravity is caused by a vehicle such as a car or spaceship accelerating. It may pull in any direction (not just down), and lasts only as long as you continue to accelerate. You feel no acceleration gravity when moving at a steady speed. [See: Acceleration.]
Air Pressure: A constant squeezing force your body experiences when you live in an atmosphere. On Earth, this pressure is naturally maintained by the weight of 125 kilometers of air pressing down on you. On the Moon, this pressure is created artificially by pumping air into a dome or a pressure suit - just like inflating a basketball! [See: Airlock, Atmosphere, Oxygen, Pressure Suit.]
Air Quality Management: An organization that monitors and protects the quality of the air we all breathe. On Earth, AQM workers monitor things like air pollution and car exhaust. On the Moon, AQM workers monitor other things like carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the indoor air. [See: AQ Cops, CO2, CO2 Sensor.]
Airlock: A special room with two doors, one opens ot handle the outside environment, the other opens to the living area. Both doors are NEVER open at the same time! The airlock will pressureize to allow you to take your helmet and pressure suit off when you come indoors. It also pumps the air back indoors before you leave so that the air isn't wasted. [See: Air Pressure, Atmosphere, Oxygen.]
Aitken Basin: Aitken is the largest impact site in the solar system. This 2200 kilometer wide crater is centered roughly on the Moon's south pole. It was discovered in 1998 by the Clementine Lunar orbiter. The Clementine Lunar Prospector, as it was also known, was the first craft to discover water on the Moon, deep within craters within the Aitken basin. Aitken is also one of the states of the Lunar Union. [See: Asteroid, Impact Crater.]
Φ Aldrin Spaceport: A small spaceport serving the Gassendi LEX area named for Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, the second man to walk on the Moon in 1969. Often called 'Buzzport' by children, it is one of Maurice's favorite places to hang out. [See: Gassendi LEX, Spaceport.]
Algae: Single-cell plants that use chlorophyll to produce food from sunshine and carbon dioxide. Common on Earth where ever there is abundant water. Algae are efficient producers of atmospheric oxygen on both Earth and Moon. [See: Carbon dioxide, OK Corral, O/K Farm, Oxygen.]
Φ All System Track Finals: A track and field tournament held for all students 12th grade and younger. The All System Finals are held on Earth and Moon alternately. Because of vastly different gravity and other conditions, scores are averaged and the tournament trophy is awarded every other year. [See: Bi-annual, High Jump, JV Division, National Lunar Track Team, Soldier Field.]
Φ Ambush at Coyote Canyon: A novel of the Old West by Maurice's favorite author, Lamont LaRue. Don't look for this one in the local library, Lamont LaRue is a fictional character!
Φ Ankle Lights: Ankle lights are installed in your boots that shine down on the ground around your feet so you don't have to hold a flashlight. Ankle lights are standard equipment in lunar pressure suits because the Moon has two weeks of uninterrupted darkness every month. [See: Lunar Day, Pressure Suit.]
Antibiotic: An antibiotic is a medicine that destroys infection causing bacteria, it does no good against viruses, though. [See: Hypodermic Syringe.]
Apathy: Apathy is an 'I don't care' attitude. In a rugged frontier environment like the Moon, Apathy kills people who don't care enough to be careful about pressure suits, air supplies, etc. [See: Pressure Suit, Suit Discipline.]
Φ Apollo Monument: The Apollo Monument is a building and statue commemorating humanity's first steps upon another world in 1969-72. There are six Apollo Monuments on the Lunar near side; one for each of the six successful Apollo landings. [See: Apollo Park, Schmidt-Sabine LEX.]
Φ Apollo Park: Apollo Park is a sports complex in Schmidt-Sabine LEX, in the state of Tranquilitatus. This sports complex was named in honor of Apollo-11, the first successful manned landing on the Moon. [See: Apollo Monument, Eagle Stadium, Lunar Citizenship.]
Φ AQ Cops: A common name for the Air Quality Police. On the Moon, air quality is crucial. Fouling the air or failing ot maintain the filters and air scrubbers in your home can get you a citation and a fine. [See: Air Quality Management, Atmosphere, Carbon Dioxide, CO2 Sensor.]
Asteroid: Asteroid is another name for meteoroid. Essentially a large rock in space, the word asteroid literally means "star-like object." Asteroids come in three basic varieties: S-type, made of stone; M-type, made of metal (mostly iron); and C-type, made of carbon. Asteroids are usually found in the asteroid belt, a region of space between Mars and Jupiter. Although they range in size from small particles up to almost 1000 miles across, the name asteroid is usually reserved for objects large enough to be seen from Earth. Very large asteroids have impacted the Moon in the past, creating more than 20 maria which we still see today. Asteroids were able to do this because these huge objects struck the near side where the lunar crust was only 50 kilometers thick. There are only four maria on the far side because the crust there was 150 kilometers thick! There have been no impacts of this size on the Moon for billions of years. [See: Impact Crater, Lunar Crust, Maria.]
Atmosphere: The atmosphere is the blend of gases that make up our air. The Moon has no natural atmosphere because its gravity is too low to hold air down on the lunar surface, so gases escape into space. [See: Airlock, Air Pressure, Air Quality Management, Carbon Dioxide, Oxygen, Pressure Suit, Twilight.]
Axis: The axis is the imaginary line around which a planet spins. It is rotation on its axis which causes a planet to experience the regular cycles of day and night.
Bi-Annual: Anything that occurs once every other year is considered to be bi-annual. [See: All System Track Finals.]
Big Dipper: The big dipper is part of the constellation Ursa Majoris, or the 'Great Bear'; it is also known as 'The Plough' in England and much of Europe. [See: Constellation.]
Φ Black and Whites: Black and whites are special glasses that replace colored light with tones of black and white. The amount of color you can see can be adjusted, helping lunar visitors to Earth deal with 'color shock'. [See: Color Shock.]
Booster: A booster is a large rocket engine used to help get large ships and cargoes into space. [See: Passenger Liner, Spaceport.]
Breccia Field: Breccia is mixed rock that is fused together with glass. This happens when a meteor impact makes temperatures high enough to melt rocks together and change sand into glass. Common on the Moon, breccia is rare on Earth except in volcanic regions such as Hawaii. Because they are composed partly of glass, breccia can shatter into dangerous, razor-sharp pieces. [See: Asteroids, Ejecta, Ejecta Blanket, Impact Crater, Rays.]
Buggy: [See: Lunar Buggy.]
Burrows: Burrows are rooms or buildings on the Moon that have been dug into the ground or into the side of a large crater rim. Most of the South Gassendi Complex where Maurice lives is composed of burrows dug into the Gassendi Crater rim. [See: LEX, Radiation, Radiation Damage, and Shielding.]
Carbon Dioxide: Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring gas that humans and other animals breathe out as part of the respiration process. Earth atmosphere is roughly 0.5% carbon dioxide. Concentrations of CO2 over 2% are considered toxic. Plants 'breathe in' carbon dioxide, scrubbing it from the air and turning it into sugars and cellulose (plant fibers). [See: Atmosphere, Air Quality Management, AQ Cops, CO2 Scrubber, CO2 Sensor.]
Cassiopeia: Cassiopeia is a large constellation in the northern sky near the Big Dipper; it is also called 'The Queen.' [See: Big Dipper, Constellation.]
Celsius: A unit of temperature used in the metric system, Celsius is also sometimes called 'Centigrade.' [See: Fahrenheit.]
Ceramic Turbo-Diesels: Engines are more efficient when they are very hot. Modern ceramics can withstand both the heat and shock needed to make ultra-efficient diesel combustion engines. At present, ceramic engines are considered experimental and are not found in everyday applications like cars or boats.
Chain 'o Lakes: The Chain 'o Lakes is an area with dozens of small lakes connected by shallow channels. Stretching from southern Wisconsin into northern Illinois and Indiana, the Chain 'o Lakes is part of the Fox River system and drains into Lake Michigan. The lakes and river are home to many species of wildlife, all harmless with the exception of the Cottonmouth Snake. [See: Lake Catherine, Cottonmouth.]
Chicago Port Authority Police: The Port Authority Police is a real-life police force that patrols the Chicago harbor and airport transportation system, including O'Hare International Airport (the future O'Hare Air and Spaceport!) Port Authority Police are now part of the Department of Homeland Security. [See: O'Hare Air and Space Port.]
Φ Chicagoland LEX: A large metropolitan combination of more than a dozen cities bordering southwestern Lake Michigan. The cities are technically separate, but work together for shared government functions. [See: LEX.]
Chronometer: A chronometer is simply a watch or a timepiece.
Φ Citizenship Day: July 20th of each year is the Independence Day celebration for the Lunar Union. This is also the one day each year when qualifying new citizens are sworn in and take their oath of allegiance to the Moon. [See: Apollo Park, Lunar Citizenship, Lunar Union.]
CO2: This is the chemical formula for carbon dioxide gas. [See: Atmosphere, Carbon Dioxide, Scrubbers.]
CO2 Sensor: This is a chemical sensor that can detect the level of CO2 gas in the air and protect people against accidental carbon dioxide poisoning. [See: Atmosphere, Carbon Dioxide, Scrubbers.]
Φ Color Shock: People on the Moon live in a very monochrome environment, virtually everything outside is either black, white, or grey. For lunar residents, traveling to the Earth with its very colorful environment is hard on the eyes, just as bright lights can sting your eyes when you are not used to them. [See: Black and Whites.]
Concourse: A concourse is a large public area in an airport or space terminal. This is where passengers walk to and from their boarding areas, lounges, and baggage claim areas. [See: O'Hare Air and Space Port, Aldrin Spaceport.]
Constellation: A constellation is a group of bright stars in the sky that make a familiar pattern. There are 88 internationally recognized constellations. People on the Moon see the exact same constellation patterns as we do on Earth. How many of the 88 constellations you see depends on where you live. People living on the equator see virtually all of them, while people on the poles see only half of them. [See: Big Dipper, Cassiopeia.]
Φ Copernican Stock Exchange: Like the Tokyo and New York Stock Exchanges, the Copernican Exchange, located in Schmidt-Sabine LEX, is a major economic trading house. People on the Moon buy and sell stocks there. [See: Water Futures, Water Stocks.]
Cottonmouth Snake: The Cottonmouth is a large (1-2 meters long) and aggressive poisonous snake native to wetland areas from the northern Midwest to the Southeastern seaboard of the United States. Dark brown or black with small tan stripes, they often show off their spectacular white mouths when angry or striking. [See: Chain 'o Lakes.]
Crater: [See: Impact Crater.]
Φ Crawler-Miner: A crawler-miner is a very large vehicle that slowly crawls over the land on massive treads (like tank treads.) These vehicles scrape rock off the surface, grind and heat it to release helium-3 as they go. There are also versions of this machine that mine metals. They are very efficient, but they leave ugly scars upon the landscape. [See: He-3 Mining Company, Helium Analyzer, Helium Prospecting, Helium Reserve.]
Crescent: The crescent is a thin, curved shape that is thickest in the center and tapers to a point on the ends. [See: Crescent Phase, Gibbous Phase, Phase of the Moon, Quarter Phase. Also see: Appendix-A: Lunar Orbit and Phases.]
Crescent Phase: The crescent is one of the five distinct phases of the Moon as seen from Earth (or the Earth as seen from the Moon.)
Dark Side: The 'dark' side is the side of the Moon that people on Earth never see. The Moon's core is off-center, and the Earth's gravity always holds the 'heavy' side down; that is, toward the Earth. This means that only one side (the heavier side) is ever seen by Earth dwellers. It also means that people living on the dark side (or far side, as residents there prefer to call it) never see the Earth in their sky. People living on the far side consider the term to be an insult. [See: Far Side, Near Side.]
Data Cartridge: A data cartridge is a high-capacity data storage device used in computers and field equipment like helium analyzers. Essentially a disk drive with no moving parts, similar devices are now common in digital cameras, MP3 players, and other devices. [See: Helium Analyzer.]
Dehumidifier: A dehumidifier is a device made to extract water from air or clothing. Think of a clothes drier that would capture both the lint and water from your wet laundry and you have the right idea. [See: Water Reclamation.]
Dirt Suckers: Dirt sucker is an impolite term for people who have never flown in space. Often, it is used for those who are afraid or uncomfortable with space flight.
Domes: Domes are large plastic covers that are fitted over crater rims. Craters fitted this way can hold air an water, even buildings and people. Very simple to build, but offering little protection from sun, radiation, or meteorite exposure, they are generally used for storage, not for living or working in. [See: LEX, Habitat.]
Φ Dustboard: Similar to a terrestrial snowboard, the dustboard allows kids on the Moon to 'catch some powder' when they travel to the highlands. The best part is that the dust is always there, so there is no need to wait for snow! Dustboarding is enjoyed year-round on the Moon.
Φ Eagle Stadium: Eagle stadium is an underground stadium in Apollo Park in Schmidt-Sabine LEX, this is one of the places where citizenship ceremonies are held each year. [See: Apollo Park, Citizenship Day, Lunar Citizenship.]
Earth Standard Gravity: One standard gravity makes you fall at 9.8 meters per second, per second, or 9.8 meters per second squared. This is roughly three times faster (and heavier) than Martian gravity, and six time more than lunar gravity. [See: Acceleration Gravity, Gravitational Aides, Gravitationally Challenged.]
Earth Suit: An Earth suit consists of a lead lined jacket and pants; this allows people on Mars or the Moon to exercise at their 'normal' weight (in Earth gravity.) Failing to exercise rigorously in low gravity causes loss of bone mass and muscular weakness that may make it impossible to return to Earth safely. [See: Earth Standard Gravity, Gravitational Aides, Gravitationally Challenged.]
Earth Transit: Earth transit is the portion of a space flight that takes you from the Moon to Earth. [See: Lunar Escape Trajectory, Passenger Liner, Trans-system Trajectory.]
Earthman: Earthman is a slang term for someone who is a citizen of Earth. Sometimes used as an impolite term for someone who is snobbish about being from Earth. [See: Loonie, Moon Man, Terran, Terrie.]
Earthrise: The rise of the Earth over the lunar horizon is called Earthrise. This only happens if you live in a narrow band on the Moon that separates the near side from the far side. Earthrise times are irregular, and the speed and length of the event varies greatly. [See: Far Side, Lunar Day, Near Side, Synchronous Orbit.]
Ecologist: An ecologist is someone who studies the complex interactions of living species in their natural environment. [See: Oxygen/Krill Farm.]
Ecosystem: An ecosystem is a community of living things and their environment interacting together. A healthy ecosystem is balanced between plant and animal; as well as between predator, prey, and scavenger. [See: Ecologist, Oxygen/Krill Farm.]
Ejecta: Material blasted out of a crater during an impact is called ejecta. This may include rocks, dust, and if the impact is large enough, brecciated rock - pieces of different types of rock fused together by the heat of the impact blast. [See: Breccia, Ejecta Blanket, Impact Crater.]
Ejecta Blanket: The ejecta material that covers the ground around an impact crater is called the ejecta blanket. The size and composition of the ejecta blanket varies with the size of the impact, and the type of object that struck the surface. Sometimes the crater rim will be jagged, making, ejecta spray out in straight lines called rays, which can extend for thousands of kilometers. [See: Breccia, Ejecta Blanket, Impact Crater.]
Emergency Radio: The emergency radio is a battery operated radio with very simple controls. It communicates wirelessly with your pressure suit com system, so you don't need a microphone. Kids and adults on the Moon consider it a personal failure to have to use one. [See: Lunar Buggy.]
Escape Velocity: The speed you need to break free of a planet's gravity. About 25,000 mph for those of us on Earth. If you do get up to escape velocity, any path you take will eventually lead you back to the home planet - often with a crash landing! [See: Earth Transit, Lunar Escape Trajectory, Trans-System Trajectory.]
E-Suit: [See: Earth Suit.]
Faceplate: The transparent part of a space helmet that allows you to look out at the planet you are exploring is called the faceplate. [See: Fittings, Helmet, Pressure Suit.]
Fahrenheit: Fahrenheit is an English unit of temperature, not commonly used anywhere except the United States. Fahrenheit is not longer used by scientists anywhere in the world. [See: Celsius.]
Fenders: Curved pieces of metal or plastic that prevent rocks or dust kicked up by the wheels of a vehicle from flying up and hitting the driver. [See: Lunar Buggy, Smoke Signal.]
Fittings: Usually made of aluminum rings, fittings allow you to put the pants, shirt, helmet, and gloves of a pressure suit together so they don't lose air. [See: Faceplate, Helmet, Pressure Suit.]
Fusion Power: Unlike current fission powered nuclear plants, fusion power produces only helium, and very little radioactive waste. Very efficient and using super-abundant fuel, fusion reactors promise inexpensive power for all of society. They are still in development and not currently in commercial use. [See: He-3 Company, Helium-3, Isotope.]
Φ Gagarin Spaceport: Gagarin spaceport is an orbiting space station and rocket port named for the first human being in space - Yuri Gagarin. [See: Spaceport, Orbit.]
Gangway: A gangway is a flexible, covered ramp that allows passengers to get on or off an airplane or space liner safely. On the Moon these are air tight structures, while on Earth, they are not. [See: Passenger Liner, Spaceport.]
Gantry: A gantry is a large tower that stands next to a space vehicle ready to be launched. Used for boarding, maintenance, and fueling. [See: Passenger Liner, Spaceport.]
Gantry Crane: A large crane attached to a gantry tower. Gantry cranes are used to load cargo, fuel, and to assemble rockets and boosters. [See: Gantry.]
Φ Gassendi Complex: An interconnected set of living quarters, businesses, and schools all dug into the south rim of the Gassendi Crater. Home to Maurice and his family, Gassendi LEX as it is also called, is Maurice's home town. [See: Burrows, Gassendi Crater, LEX.]
Gassendi Crater: Gassendi is a very large crater north of Mare Humorum with a flat, lava-filled floor. Roughly 110 kilometers wide (70 miles), the rim measures over 350 kilometers around. [See: Gassendi Complex, LEX, Mare Humorum.]
Φ Gassendi Giants: The Gassendi Giants are the team mascot for Gassendi Middle School. [See: Gassendi Middle School.]
Φ Gassendi Middle School: Maurice's school on the Moon is Gassendi Middle School, home of the Gassendi Giants! [See: Gassendi Giants, Gassendi Complex.]
Geiger Counter: Invented in the first half of the 20th century, the Geiger-Muller tube counts radioactive particles. [See: Gene Therapy, Hard Radiation, Radiation Damage, Radiation Exposure, Shielding.]
Gene Therapy: Gene therapy is a long, but not particularly painful procedure that allows doctors to repair or replace DNA that has been damaged by radiation or certain toxic chemicals. The process is under development, but is considered experimental - not commonly used as a medical practice in our time. [See: Geiger Counter, Hard Radiation, Radiation Damage, Radiation Exposure, Shielding.]
Genetically Engineered: Genetically engineered organisms have had their natural genes (their DNA) altered in a scientific way to make them stronger, healthier, or otherwise superior. This technology has been in use in one way or another since people first began selectively breeding plants and animals over 5000 years ago. [See: Oxygen/Krill Farm.]
Geochemist: A geochemist studies the chemical and physical processes that shape and form rocks and minerals in a planet's crust. [See: Geology.]
Geology: Geology is the study of the movement, shaping, and evolution of a planet's crust. Since the word 'Geology' technically means "Study of the Earth", some scientists in Maurice's time prefer the term Lithology or Lithologist, meaning someone who studies rocks. [See: Geochemist.]
Geyser: A geyser is a natural eruption of water, steam, and other gases caused by volcanic heating. Geysers on other planets and moons are not always erupting water, sulfur and liquid nitrogen geysers are also known. Since the Moon is geologically dead (no volcanic activity exists there), it is impossible to have a geyser on the Moon today.
Gibbous: From a word meaning 'fat' or 'rounded', this refers to seeing a moon or planet more than half lit by the Sun. [See: Gibbous Phase. Also see: Appendix A-Lunar Orbit and Phases.]
Gibbous Phase: A phase of the moon between full and quarter moon. [See: Gibbous. Also see: Appendix A-Lunar Orbit and Phases.]
Global Positioning System: A series of satellites used to compare and identify your position on the Earth; accurate to within one meter, the system has been in widespread use since the late 20th century. [See: LPS.]
GM Reading: A reading from a Geiger-Muller tube (a Geiger counter) which tells how much radioactivity is present. [See: Geiger Counter, Radiation, Radioactivity.]
GPS: [See: Global Positioning System, LPS.]
Gravitational Aide: Any cane, walker or wheelchair used to help those not ready to handle Earth's powerful gravity is a gravitational aide. [See: Earth Standard Gravity, Gravitationally Challenged.]
Gravitationally Challenged: Someone who is gravitationally challenged is not ready for strong terrestrial gravity; they may require a gravitational aide to help them get around. [See: Earth Standard Gravity, Gravitational Aide.]
Habitat: 1. Any structure or shelter that helps keep people alive in a hostile environment is a habitat. 2. The natural environment of any plant, animal, or microorganism. [See: Burrows, Domes, Gassendi Complex, Survival Shelter.]
Hard Radiation: Sometimes called 'ionizing radiation', hard radiation will penetrate your body and disrupt molecules inside your cells. Very large molecules like DNA, RNA, and proteins tend to absorb more damage because they are thousands of times larger than smaller molecules found in your cells. Damage to these important molecules can cause cancer and other genetic diseases. Sometimes, if you get enough radiation damage, too many cells in your body will be damaged beyond repair - this can cause severe radiation sickness and even death. These severe cases are very rare, however. [See: Gene Therapy, Radioactivity, Radiation Damage, Shielding.]
Hard Vacuum: A 'hard' vacuum is a complete absence of air (or nearly so.) These conditions are found on the Moon and in space. [See: Habitat, Pressure Suit.]
Hatch: A hatch is a door into another part of a ship that can be closed and sealed air and water tight if need be. [See: Passenger Liner.]
Φ HE-3 Mining Company: HE-3 is the mining company that employs Maurice's parents. A subsidiary of the Consolidated Mines and Petroleum company which owns most of Gassendi LEX and is heavily invested in colonies all over the solar system. [See: Fusion Power, Mining Town.]
He-3 Deposits: Pockets of helium-3 gas trapped inside bubbles in lava and sometimes other types of rock; helium-3 deposits are usually found on the lunar maria. [See: HE-3 Mining Company, Helium Analyzer, Helium Prospecting.]
Φ Helium Analyzer: A helium analyzer is a buggy-portable device that will grind a rock sample to powder and then heat it to release any trapped helium gas; the analyzer then uses a Geiger counter to determine how rich the sample is. [See: He-3 Deposit, Helium Prospector.]
Φ Helium Prospecting: Prospectors typically work alone or in pairs, traveling the vast maria of the Moon, sampling rock and trying to find the next big helium strike. Secretive and suspicious as a rule, prospectors are always wary of someone else trying to steal their claim. [See: Fusion Power, HE-3 Mining Company, He-3 Deposit, Helium Reservoir.]
Helium Reservoir: A particularly large and rich deposit of helium-3 is called a reservoir. [See: He-3 Deposit, Helium-3.]
Helium-3: Helium-3 is a radioactive isotope of helium. Common helium is actually helium-4, with two protons and two neutrons in the nucleus of each atom. Helium-3 is lighter because it has only one neutron per atom instead of two. He-3 is particularly good fuel for fusion reactors which supply clean, efficient power to most of the Earth, Moon, and the outer colonies in Maurice's time. [See: Fusion Power, He-3 Mining Company, Helium Prospecting.]
Helmet: Slang for 'space helmet', it is an air-tight helmet that locks into a set of rings in a pressure suit. Usually solid except for the faceplate, the helmet provides shielding against impact and radiation. The faceplate is so strong as to be virtually bullet proof, because any crack or break would be fatal. [See: Faceplate, Fittings, Pressure Suit.]
Hemostat: A grasping tool that doctors use, the hemostat looks like a combination between a pair of scissors and a needle-nose pliers. [See: Sterile, Suture.]
Hidden Glaciers: In 1998, the spacecraft Clementine was sent to the Moon on a mapping and prospecting mission. Clementine discovered large amounts of water present at the bottom of perpetually dark craters near the Moon's south pole. These 'hidden glaciers' are believed to be left over from comet impacts, they have survived because these craters deep within the Aitken basin never see sunlight. [See: Aitken Basin, Impact Craters.]
High Jump: High jump is a track and field sporting event. Competitors keep jumping over the bar at ever greater heights until they have missed the same jump three times in a row. [See: All System Track Finals, Lunar Finals.]
Horizon: The horizon is the farthest distance you can see. On a planet, this is limited by the curvature of the surface. On Earth, the horizon is about 50 miles away, on the Moon, the horizon is less than 5 miles away.
Hypodermic Syringe: A tube of medicine with a plunger on one end and a hollow needle on the other. The doctor or nurse uses them to give you vaccinations, allergy shots, antibiotics, etc. The needle lets the doctor inject the medicine under the skin and directly into your body. [See: Antibiotic.]
Impact Craters: Holes in the surface of a moon or planet left over when an object falls in from space are called impact craters. Bodies with no atmosphere (like the Moon) have huge numbers of craters in all sized from microscopic to continent sized. On Earth, our atmosphere burns up most objects before they can strike the surface, so we have relatively few craters. Meteors hit Earth and Moon at speeds averaging 50,000 kilometers per hour! The meteoroid's great speed causes the explosive impact that makes a crater. Most craters are about 10 times larger than the meteoroid or comet that made them. This means that the asteroid that made the Gassendi crater where Maurice lives was probably about 10 miles wide - about the same size as the one that killed the dinosaurs. [See: Asteroid, Breccia, Ejecta, Ejecta Blanket, Gassendi Crater, Maria, Meteoroid, Rays.]
Insect Larvae: Larvae are immature insects, often called maggots or grubs. Mosquito larvae live underwater; they are fed on blood that female mosquitoes get when they bite you!
Isotope: An atom that is chemically identical to other atoms of its type, but weighs more or less than they do. Isotopes occur naturally, some are radioactive (they give off radiation) others are not. An isotope has a different number of neutrons in the nucleus than is usual for that element. 'Normal' helium is helium-4, the isotope of helium Maurice and his father are interested in is helium-3, which has one less neutron than helium-4. Helium-3 is used to power fusion reactors, whereas 'normal' helium-4 would not work. [See: Fusion Power, Helium-3, Radioactivity.]
JV Division: JV stands for 'junior varsity.' This is a sports division for younger, less experienced players. [See: Track and Field, High Jump.]
Φ K-Beef: A meat product commonly served on the Moon, K-beef is made from krill, tiny shrimp-like creatures common in Earth's oceans. They are processed, flavored, and textured to resemble beef. K-meats come in chicken, pork, and fish flavors as well. [See: Meatless Diet, Oxygen/Krill Farm, Vegetarian.]
Kilometers: A kilometer is a common metric unit of measure, equal to 1000 meters or about 6/10th of a mile. To change miles into kilometers, divide miles by 0.62. To change kilometers into miles, multiply kilometers by 0.62. [See: Klicks, Metric System.]
Kiosk: A kiosk is a small stand where vendors sell anything from hotdogs to souvenirs.
Klicks: Klick is a slang term for kilometers.
Krill: Krill are tiny, shrimp-like creatures that live in the open ocean and feed on plankton. [See: K-Beef, Oxygen/Krill Farms.]
Lake Catherine: A small lake in northern Illinois; Lake Catherine is part of the Chain 'o Lakes region. [See: Chain 'o Lakes.]
Φ Lamont LaRue: Maurice's favorite author, Lamont LaRue writes adventure stories set in the Old West. Sorry, Mr. LaRue is a fictional character, so you won't find Ambush at Coyote Canyon in your local library or bookstore. [See: Ambush at Coyote Canyon.]
Φ Landing Tax: Lunar authorities charge all ships a fee to use their landing facilities. The landing tax is usually payable in water or air. [See: Spaceport.]
Latitude: Latitude is a system of lines on a planet or moon that measure distance north and south of the equator all the way to the poles. [See: Global Positioning System, LPS.]
Lava Beds: An area where lava has erupted and then frozen into vast layers of rock. [See: Maria, Lava Types.]
Lava Types: There are two major types of lava: Felsic Lava is made mostly of silicates (stone) and has very little metal in it. Felsic lava is generally lighter in weight and color; pumice, a common felsic lava is often used as an abrasive for scrubbing or sharpening tools. Mafic Lava is rich in iron, magnesium, aluminum, and other metals. Mafic lava tends to be runny and flows easily down hill; it is darker in color and cools faster than other lavas. [See: Maria, Lava Beds.]
LEX: [See: Local Economic Exchange.]
Liter: The liter is a metric unit of volume. You may buy drinks in half-liter to three-liter sizes; one liter is about the same as an American quart. [See: Metric System.]
Φ Local Economic Exchange: A group of facilities, buildings and living quarters shared by a group of colonists on the Moon is referred to as a LEX. Every person and company contributes to the LEX by investing in the building of the housing, schools, roads, hospitals, air and water plants, etc. In a Lunar colony, the economic health of your LEX controls how well you live - even if you can survive. [See: Chicagoland LEX, Gassendi LEX, and Schmidt-Sabine LEX.]
Longitude: A system of lines on a planet or moon that measure distance east and west from a line designated as the "Prime Meridian." On Earth, this line runs through the city of Greenwich, England. [See: Global Positioning System, GPS, LPS.]
Φ Loonie: An impolite term for someone who lives on the Moon. [See: Moon Man, Terran, Terrie.]
LoPOR: Low Pressure-Oxygen Rich. LoPOR environments include habitats and suits that are pressurized to about 1/3 normal Earth air pressure. The low pressure is compensated for by making the air richer in oxygen. This allows people to breathe normally and reduces problems due to leaks. LoPOR systems also take 2/3 less gas to pressurize any given volume. [See: Atmosphere, Air Pressure, Gassendi Complex, Habitat, Pressure Suit.]
Φ LPS: Lunar Positioning System. A system of satellites orbiting the Moon that allow people on the lunar surface to measure their location with great accuracy. [See: Global Positioning System.]
Luna: Luna is the proper name for Earth's moon. Technically, the word 'moon' refers to any object in orbit around a planet. The name of Earth's moon is Luna. [See: Terra.]
Φ Luna Net: The Luna-net is the Moon's version of the internet.
Φ Luna Flight: A company that flies passenger space liners from the Earth to the Moon.
Lunar Buggy: A buggy is a small, 4-wheel, low power vehicle for carrying up to two people. The buggy has a limited range and cargo capacity, and only moderate climbing ability.
Φ Lunar Citizen: A sworn citizen of the Lunar Union. The Lunar Union represents most of the near side and the Aitken basin near the south lunar pole. Most of the far side is still independent with no national affiliation. [See: Citizenship Day, Lunar Citizenship, Lunar Union.]
Φ Lunar Citizenship: Citizenship in the Lunar Union is not free, it must be bought and paid for by investing in a LEX. Citizenship investment is usually about $100,000 per person. Citizens are expected to be productive and contribute actively to society. The unemployed have very few rights on the Moon because a frontier colony cannot afford to pay for the air and water to keep them alive. There is no such thing as welfare in the Lunar Union.
Lunar Crust: The upper 50-150 kilometers of rock forms the lunar crust, the last 5-10 meters have been pounded into dust and crushed rock called regolith. [See: Impact Craters, Maria.]
Lunar Day: The lunar day is defined as the time from sunrise to sunrise on the Moon, approximately 708 hours. The length of the lunar day also varies significantly due to inconsistencies in the Moon's orbit. Lunar colonies still use Earth time which is based upon a 24-hour day and 365-day year for things like school, work, and business. On the Moon, there is no real match between time of day and the presence of daylight or darkness outside. Nor is there any match between the time of year and the seasons, because there are no seasons and no weather on the lunar surface. [See: Orbit, Synchronous Orbit.]
Lunar Dust: Lunar dust is part of the regolith layer, the uppermost 5-10 meters of the Moon's crust. Rocks in this layer have been pounded to dust by meteor impacts from space.
Lunar Escape Trajectory: An escape trajectory is a path in lunar orbit that will take you completely out of the Moon's gravitational influence. In order to go from Moon to Earth or Mars, you must first take a lunar escape trajectory. [See: Escape Velocity, Orbit, Passenger Liner.]
Φ Lunar Finals: Slang for Lunar Track and Field Finals, this event decides which athletes will represent the Moon in the All System Track Finals. [See: All System Finals, Track and Field.]
Lunar Gravity: Lunar standard gravity is roughly 1/6th that of Earth's. Low gravity makes everything weigh six times less than it would on Earth. Athletes can perform incredible feats in lunar gravity due to reduced weight. Low gravity causes problems for lunar residents, who must exercise strenuously to keep fit enough to return to Earth one day. If you are lazy in Lunar gravity, you will quickly lose bone mass and muscular strength - so much so that you may be unable to return to higher gravity planets like Mars or Earth. [See: Acceleration Gravity, Earth Standard Gravity, Gravitational Aides, Gravitationally Challenged.]
Φ Lunar Independence Day: The Lunar Union declared independence on the 100th anniversary of the first manned Moon landing; July 20th, 2069. Each July 20th is celebrated as Lunar Independence Day; it is also Citizenship Day for the Lunar Union. [See: Citizenship Day, Lunar Citizenship, Lunar Union.]
Φ Lunar Positioning System: A system of satellites orbiting the Moon that allow people on the Lunar surface to determine their exact location with the help of an LPS receiver. [See: Global Positioning System, Latitude, Longitude.]
Φ Lunar Smoke Signal: Using the spinning wheel of a buggy to throw dust high into the sky where it is visible from great distances and casts huge shadows on the lunar surface. Because the lunar horizon is much closer than on Earth, you cannot see long distances, making search and rescue operations much more difficult. The lunar smoke signal dramatically increases the distance from which you can be seen. Invented by Maurice Haberman, for which he received the Goddard Medal for young inventors. [See: Helium Prospecting, Robert Goddard Medal.]
Lunar Soil: On the Moon, there is no true 'soil' as we know it on Earth. True soil consists of minerals, clays, organic matter (decaying plants, etc.), thousands of different microbe species, insects, and other animals. So-called lunar soil is simply a mixture of crushed rock and dust for the most part, and contains no water or organic matter at all. [See: Lunar Crust, Regolith.]
Lunar TV: Maurice and Cassie's name for old 20th century black and white television shows. They say that the old TV shows look like the lunar surface - black, white, and grey.
Φ Lunar Union: The only declared nation on the Moon. The Lunar Union includes most of the near side and the Aitken basin on the Lunar South Pole. Citizenship in the Lunar Union must be earned; people who qualify must swear an oath of loyalty and productivity in addition to making an investment in their local LEX and banking a year's worth of water and air. Currently, the total cost of citizenship is about $100,000 per person. [See: Citizenship Day, LEX, Lunar Citizenship, Schmidt-Sabine LEX.]
Φ Lunar Union Flag: Three vertical bars, black, white, and grey, with an image of the lunar near side in the center surrounded by 21, five-pointed stars for the original 21 Apollo astronauts and the 21 states of the Lunar Union. [See: Lunar Union.]
Magellanic Clouds: Two small dwarf galaxies that orbit our own Milky Way galaxy. These bright clouds of stars are only visible in the southern hemisphere of Earth or Moon. They were first reported to European astronomers by survivors of Ferdinand Magellan's voyage around the world in the 1500's.
Magnesium: Magnesium is a strong, lightweight metal plentiful on both Luna and Mars. A principle building material on those planets, magnesium also has the property of being flammable! On Earth, it was used in flashbulbs until the late 20th century.
Magnetic Field: Planets with a molten iron core will produce a magnetic field if they rotate fast enough. None of the other inner planets has a significant magnetic field; they either lack a molten metal core or rotate too slowly. This is one of the reasons that Mars and Luna rely on a satellite positioning system rather than traditional magnetic compasses. [See: LPS.]
Mare Cognitum: The Sea of Knowledge, it borders Mare Humorum on the northeast; it is also called the Known Sea. [See: Impact Crater, Lava Bed, Maria.]
Mare Humorum: The Sea of Moisture, Gassendi crater sits on the northern edge of the sea. South Gassendi Complex (where Maurice and his parents live) is part of Gassendi LEX and looks out over this ancient sea. [See: Impact Crater, Lava Bed, Maria.]
Maria: From the Latin word for 'sea', a maria is a very large impact crater that actually punctured the crust of the primordial Moon, allowing the impact crater to fill up with lava. This lava is richer in iron and other metals than the rest of the lunar crust and darker in color. The maria are the dark areas you see on the Moon from Earth. [See: Impact Crater, Mare Cognitum, Mare Humorum.]
Martian Gravity: Martian standard gravity is about 1/3rd that of Earth, or about double that of Lunar standard gravity. As on the Moon, people living on Mars must continue to exercise to be able to return to Earth with its higher gravitational pull. [See: Earth Standard Gravity, Lunar Gravity.]
Meatless Diet: On the Moon, soil, air, and water are expensive and hard to come by. Without a ranch environment that provides open space, food, water, air, and soil essentially for free, raising livestock such as cattle, sheep, or pigs is terribly expensive and impractical. Most Lunar colonists eat a diet which is very low in meat products. Most dietary protein requirements come from processed krill-foods and vegetable protein from lentils and beans. The lunar diet is essentially 'meatless' as most Earth people would consider it. There are some animals raised for food on the Moon, but only species that take up little space, air, or water and eat most everything that people throw away are kept. Rats and chickens are the most common animals raised as livestock on the Moon. [See: K-Beef, Oxygen/Krill Farm, Rat Dogs, Vegetarian.]
Meteor: A piece of space debris in the process of entering a planetary atmosphere. When a bit of space debris hits the air at speeds from 15,000 to 70,000 kph, it immediately heats up and begins to glow brightly. On Earth, we see these streaks of light across the night sky and call them 'falling stars' or meteors. While in space, the object is a meteoroid or asteroid; once on the ground, the object becomes a meteorite. Most meteors burn up at an altitude of 15-40 miles above Earth's surface, few leave any trace on the ground. Atmospheres protect planetary surfaces from impacts from space by burning up most meteors in this way. It would be virtually impossible for any rock smaller than a school desk to penetrate the atmosphere and strike the Earth's surface without burning up. On the other hand, planets and moons without any atmosphere have no protection, so there is never a meteor streaking across the sky on an airless world like Luna. [See: Asteroid, Meteorite, Meteoroid, Micrometeorite, Regolith.]
Meteoroid: A piece of space debris orbiting the Sun is called a meteoroid. After an object enters a planet's atmosphere, it may be incinerated in a short, brilliant streak we call a meteor. If any pieces survive the difficult passage through the atmosphere, they are called meteorites. [See: Asteroid, Meteor, Meteorite, Micrometeorite, Regolith.]
Meteorite: Meteorites are small pieces of stone, iron, or carbon that have landed on a planet after falling in from space. [See: Asteroid, Meteor, Meteoroid, Micrometeorite, Regolith.]
Meter: The meter is a metric unit of measure equal to approximately 39.4 inches. Originally designed to be one 10-millionth of the distance from the Earth's equator to the pole, the meter is now more scientifically designated. [See: Kilometer, Metric System.]
Metric System: A scientific system of measurement developed in France in the 1700's. Based originally upon basic physical properties so that they could be duplicated anywhere, the units were all divisible by 10 which made calculations and conversions simple and easy. The system of measurement (also called Systeme Internationale') is used world wide by all scientists, engineers, and professionals. The United States is the only country in the world that still uses the old 'English' system of measuring in yards, inches, and pounds, etc. [See: Kilometer, Meter.]
Micrometeorite: A microscopic particle that has survived impact with a planet or other object. Micrometeorites cause wear and surface pitting of objects in Earth orbit and on the lunar surface. [See: Impact Crater, Meteorite.]
Milky Way: Our home galaxy is called 'the Milky Way.' You can see it arch across the sky in fall and winter months if you have dark skies and a clear view. [See: Magellanic Clouds.]
Millennia: The plural of millennium, thousands of years.
Mining Town: A town focused on one essential industry. The company that owns the industry not only employs the people of the town, but owns the housing the workers rent and runs the grocery and other stores where the workers buy food and other supplies. [See: HE-3 Mining Company, Gassendi LEX, LEX.]
Mole: A quantity of measure commonly used in chemistry. One mole is about 600,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 atoms or molecules. A mole of water is about enough to make one ice cube. [See: Oxygen.]
Moon Dust: Dust made from rocks and lava that has been crushed and pounded by meteoroid impacts from space. Moon dust is also part of the regolith layer of the Moon. [See: Ejecta, Impact Crater, Regolith.]
Φ Moon Man: A slang term for a lunar citizen or other person who makes their permanent home on the Moon. [See: Loonie, Terran, Terrie.]
Φ Moss Mower: A small, hand-held mower used to trim moss that is grown in homes all over Luna for the oxygen it produces.
Φ National Lunar Track Team: A team of students from 6th to 12th grades who compete in track and field events at the All System Finals. [See: All System Track Finals, Track and Field.]
Near Side: The side of the Moon that always faces the Earth. This happens because the Moon is lop-sided (the side nearest the Since you can't see one when wearing a pressure suit, they are not worn by Moon men except for special formal occasions like the Citizenship Earth is heavier.) Eventually, the 'heavy side' ended up pointing 'down' or toward the Earth all the time so the Moon now rotates on its axis in the same amount of time it takes for the Moon to go around the Earth. This is called Synchronous Rotation. [See: Far Side, Synchronous Rotation.]
Φ Near Side News: The largest print and electronic news service in the Lunar Union. NSN has a circulation of about 1.5 million readers / viewers daily.
Necktie: An antique item of men's clothing. A colorful piece of cloth, ritually tied around the throat with a knot facing forward. Day ceremonies.
Neo: Latin for 'new', the word neo is an impolite term for someone who has just arrived to your planet; often used for people who are having trouble adjusting to different gravity and atmosphere.
Φ O.K. Corral: Maurice's name for the oxygen/krill farm where his mother works. [See: Oxygen/Krill Farm.]
O2: Oxygen gas. [See: Atmosphere, Mole.]
Φ Oath of Loyalty: Similar to the American Pledge of Allegiance, the oath of loyalty is given to all people who want to become official citizens of the Moon on Citizenship Day. [See: Citizenship Day, Lunar Citizenship, Lunar Union.]
Observation Deck: The part of a space liner with a clear plastic roof where travelers can look out and see the broad vista of space. Originally developed for passenger trains, they still prove to be popular today. [See: Passenger Liner.]
Oceanus Procellarum: The Ocean of Storms. The largest maria on the lunar surface; located northwest of Humorum and Gassendi Crater. [See: Impact Crater, Maria.]
Odor Scrubber: A special filter designed to remove odors from recirculated air, they are in use in submarines and other closed environments. Odor filters require periodic cleaning to function properly. [See: Air Quality Management, Scrubbers.]
Φ O'Hare Air and Space Port: The interplanetary port for air and space travel, it is located outside Chicagoland LEX on the site of the old O'Hare Airport. [See: Spaceport.]
Orbit: A curving path in space around a planet or star. The gravitational pull of the planet or star keeps your ship or satellite - even your planet - from flying off into space. While in orbit, objects are always falling (really!) and so objects appear 'weightless', this is not true 'zero-gravity', but it is true weightlessness. In fact, you couldn't orbit a planet without gravity; if a planet's gravity suddenly disappeared, all its satellites and moons would fly off into space - a real disaster! [See: Satellite, Spaceport.]
Orbital Escape Acceleration: The final burst of speed needed to get you free from a planet's gravity and send you on your way to another moon or planet. [See: Escape Velocity, Passenger Liner.]
Φ Oxygen/Krill Farm: A hydroponic farm (everything grows in water instead of soil) that is a self-contained ecosystem of plants and animals. The animals, tiny shrimp-like creatures called krill, produce carbon dioxide and feed off the plants and each other. The plants, tiny one-celled creatures called algae and plankton, produce oxygen and consume carbon dioxide. Humans (like all animals) need oxygen to survive. Green plants produce oxygen as part of their natural life processes. Without plants to replenish our supply, all the oxygen in Earth's atmosphere would be lost within a few years. Surplus oxygen produced by the plankton is harvested for human use. The larger krill species are also harvested for protein that is processed to resemble beef, chicken, and other meats. [See: Atmosphere, K-Beef, Meatless Diet, OK Corral.]
Palm Lock: A modern door lock that reads the finger and palm prints from your hand. No losing your key with this lock!
Parts Per Billion: A measure of very dilute concentrations. If the helium-3 concentration is 50 ppb (parts per billion), that means that one billion tonnes of ore would yield only 50 tonnes of helium-3. [See: Helium Analyzer.]
Φ Passenger Liner: A space transport for taking passengers from Terra to Luna and back again. Very similar to a modern passenger jet, crowded, noisy, and the food is terrible! [See: Orbit, Spaceport.]
Phase of the Moon: The portion of the sunlit Moon that can be seen from Earth. Phases are: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter (this is actually a half-lit Moon), waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, waning crescent, and new moon again. [See: Crescent, Gibbous, Waning, Quarter Moon. Also see: Appendix A - Lunar Orbit and Phases.]
Pit: The padded area where jumpers land in track and field competition. Used in high jump, long jump, pole vault (Earth only), and other events as well. [See: High Jump, Track and Field.]
Polar Orbit: An orbital path that takes a ship or satellite over the north and south polar regions, as opposed to around the equator. [See: Lunar Escape Trajectory, Orbit.]
Polaris: The star closest to the north celestial pole. Also called the 'North Star', every star in the northern sky appears to turn around Polaris. If you live in the northern hemisphere, and you can find the North Star, you always know what direction you are going. [See: Constellation.]
PPB: [See: Parts Per Billion.]
Pre-Dawn: The time on Earth before the sun comes up and the sky begins to get brighter. This effect is caused by Earth's atmosphere catching sunlight and bending it around the curve of the planet's horizon. Pre-dawn brightening of the sky does not happen on the Moon, due to its lack of atmosphere. On the Moon, dawn arrives like flipping on a light switch. [See: Atmosphere.]
Pressure Suit: An air-tight suit complete with gloves and helmet that allows you to go out on the airless surface of the Moon safely. Pressure suits contain heating and cooling technology that helps to protect you against extreme temperatures on the lunar surface and radiation shielding to protect you against hard solar radiation. Since there is no air on the Moon to carry sound, the suits must also have a communications system, or com-system, sort of a built in walkie-talkie. The suit must also carry all your air and water (you can't just take your helmet off and get a drink from the water fountain, can you?). Because you carry all these supplies with you, the pressure suit's backpack is rather large and bulky, fortunately, lunar gravity makes them easy to carry! Pressure suits must also be very tough; a rip can be fatal! Everyone carries a 'rip kit' with glue and an oxygen sensitive bandage that changes color to let you know you've sealed the leak completely. [See: Atmosphere, Habitat, Helmet, Faceplate, Fittings, LoPOR, Safety Bandage, Suit Discipline.]
Pristine: A completely natural state. Untouched by man.
Procellarum: One of the states of the Lunar Union, also the name of the largest maria - Oceanus Procellarum - the Ocean of Storms. [See: Lunar Union, Maria.]
Φ Procellarum Invitationals: A major track and field meet for students on the Moon. It is held in Schiaparelli LEX each summer - almost 1500 kilometers north of Gassendi LEX. [See: All System Track Finals, Lunar Finals, Track and Field.]
Prospecting: The ancient art of searching out valuable ores in the soil and underground. Prospecting has been a human activity for at least 5000 years, probably longer. On the Moon, prospectors look for metals, water, and helium-3 deposits. [See: Helium Prospecting.]
Protein: A very large molecule made of amino acids; proteins are assembled by DNA in animal cells (some plant cells, too.) Proteins are the main components of muscle tissue and meat. Your body needs plenty of protein to grow strong muscles as well as other organs and tissues in your body. On the Moon, most food protein comes from processed krill, although there is some ranching of both chickens and rats for food as well. [See: K-Beef, Krill, Meatless Diet, Oxygen/Krill Farm, Vegetarian.]
Quarter Phase: The phase of the Moon that is less than half-lit as it is seen from Earth. Sometimes called a 'young moon' or even 'fingernail moon', it occurs just before and after the new moon. [See: Crescent, Gibbous. See Also: Appendix A - Lunar Orbit and Phases.]
Radiation: Naturally occurring, high-speed particles and rays that come from unstable isotopes of atoms as they decay. Radiation also comes from fusion processes such as the process that powers our sun. Because radiation is a natural part of our environment, all plants and animals on Earth have evolved to handle small amounts of radiation without ill effects. Even your own body is naturally radioactive and gives off very small amounts of natural radiation! Earth's thick atmosphere, ozone layer, and magnetic field all screen out harmful radiation before it reaches the surface of the Earth. The Moon has no such natural protection, so anyone living or working there must put living quarters underground and wear foil layers in their clothing to protect them from harm. Being exposed to excess radiation can cause cancer and other diseases. In Maurice's time, people can get 'gene therapy' from their doctor to correct most damage caused by excess radiation. [See: Gene Therapy, Isotope, Pressure Suit, Radiation, Radioactivity, Shielding.]
Radiation Damage: Not all radiation is harmful to humans; some types of radiation will not even penetrate your skin, other kinds (low energy ultraviolet) helps your skin make vitamin-D and keeps you healthy. You have probably had radiation damage at some point in your life - the kind we call sunburn! As you know, your body heals this minor damage very well on its own. [See: Gene therapy, Hard Radiation, Isotope, Radiation, Radioactivity, Shielding.]
Radioactivity: The natural emission of energy and particles from decaying atoms. Radioactive decay, as it is also known, happens when an unstable nucleus of an atom kicks out energy and particles in order to become a smaller, more stable atom. As odd as it seems, this process makes one element change into another! Radioactive uranium, for instance, always decays into lead after a succession of radioactive changes. [See: Fusion Power, Isotope, Radiation, Radiation Damage.]
Φ Rat-Dogs: Hot dogs made from rat meat. Not much different from our hotdogs on Earth where pork, beef, turkey, and chicken hot dogs are all available. Rat meat is commonly referred to as 'scurry', just as pig-meat is referred to as 'pork' and cow meat is called 'beef'. [See: Meatless Diet.]
Regolith: The outermost layer of the lunar surface, the regolith is a layer made of crushed rock, sand, gravel, and dust. It was created by four billion years worth of impacts from space crushing and remixing the upper surface rock. In most places, the regolith is from 2-10 meters deep. [See: Impact Crater, Lunar Dust, Meteor, Meteorite, Rays.]
Relative Humidity: A measure of how dry or moist the air is. Technically, relative humidity is the ratio of the amount of water vapor in the air divided by the total amount of water vapor the air could carry at that temperature and pressure. Lunar environments tend to be very low humidity, just like any desert environment on Earth. [See: Atmosphere.]
Rip: A catastrophic and life threatening tear in a pressure suit. If your suit tears and you do not fix it quickly, you will lose all your air and die. A cry of "RIP!" is an emergency call for immediate help. [See: Pressure Suit, Safety Bandage, Spacing.]
Φ Robert Goddard Medal: A medal awarded to students on the Moon for exceptional skill in inventing new technology or new uses for existing technology. The prize includes the medal itself and a one-year scholarship to the Lunar University of choice. [See: Lunar Smoke Signal.]
Roll Maneuver: A controlled rolling over of a ship in space. Sometimes used to properly orient a ship for accelerating or braking when entering or leaving orbit. [See: Lunar Escape Trajectory, Passenger Liner.]
Φ Safety Bandage: A safety bandage is a special bandage that goes on the outside of your pressure suit to seal a rip. The bandage goes on white, and then turns blue as it hardens and seals your pressure suit. The safety bandage is also oxygen sensitive; and it will turn bright orange if your suit is still leaking oxygen. [See: Pressure Suit, Rip, Spacing.]
Satellite: Any object in orbit around another body in space. Planets are satellites of the Sun, just as moons are satellites of various planets. Artificial satellites were conceived in the 15th century by Johannes Kepler, who discovered the laws of planetary motion. The first artificial satellite of the Earth was Sputnik I, launched by the Soviet Union (Russia) in October of 1958. By the beginning of the 21st century, Earth had hundreds of artificial satellites, as did Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. [See: Orbit, Space Station.]
Schmidt-Sabine LEX: The capital of the Lunar Union, also the state capital of Tranquilitatus. [See: LEX, Lunar Union.]
Scratch: A term from track and field competition meaning a missed jump because of a technical foul or disqualification. [See: Track and Field.]
Scrubbers: Chemical filters designed to pull certain impurities from the air without removing useful components. CO2 scrubbers chemically remove carbon dioxide from the air, leaving useful oxygen and nitrogen untouched. Scrubbers must be replaced regularly, failure to do so can lead to a visit from the AQ Police, a fine, or even death if the problem is not fixed quickly. Everyone takes scrubber maintenance seriously on the Moon! [See: Air Quality Management, Atmosphere, Carbon Dioxide.]
Sea of Moisture: Also called Mare Humorum, the Sea of Moisture is one of the Moon's smaller maria; Humorum is also one of the states of the Lunar Union. Gassendi LEX, where Maurice and his family live, is the state capital of Humorum. [See: Impact Crater, Lunar Union, Maria.]
Shedd Aquarium: A major aquarium and museum located in Chicago, Illinois. Shedd is one of the oldest public aquariums in the United States. [See: Chicagoland LEX.]
Shielding: A layer of material intended to stop radiation. Some radiation has very low penetrating power, clothing or skin will stop most alpha and beta radiation. Other radiation, called 'hard radiation', is made of gamma rays, x-rays, or even cosmic rays. Hard radiation can penetrate many meters of rock or metal; this radiation is dangerous to people, as well as damaging electronics and weakening most materials. Lunar habitats are built underground; most are formed in burrows dug out of crater rims, allowing many meters of lunar soil and rock to act as shielding for the people inside. Pressure suits on the Moon and Mars are also lined with metal foils to help limit personal exposure. [See: Burrows, Habitat, Ionizing Radiation, Pressure Suits, Radiation, Hard Radiation.]
Solar Panel: A panel that produces electricity when light shines on it. Typically, solar panels are not very efficient, but they are attractive because they are non-polluting, light weight, and do not require any fuel or other resources than sunlight to generate electric power. Solar panels are also fragile, damage from impacts or micrometeorites can reduce their electrical output or disable them altogether. [See: Lunar Buggy.]
Soldier Field: A sports stadium in Chicagoland LEX, originally built in the mid-1900's, Soldier field is still used in Maurice's time for major sporting events like the All-System Track and Field Finals. [See: All-System Track Finals, Track and Field.]
Φ South Gassendi Complex: A large group of homes and businesses burrowed into the south rim of the Gassendi Crater, home to Maurice and his family. [See: Gassendi Crater, Gassendi LEX.]
Southern Cross: A constellation of stars near the south celestial pole. [See: Constellation.]
Spaceport: A spaceport is similar to today's airports, but with take-off and landing facilities for orbital transports and other space craft. Some are combined transportation hubs, like the O'Hare Air and Space Port in Chicagoland. Kennedy Spaceport in southern Florida was the world's first spaceport. [See: Aldrin Spaceport, Gagarin Spaceport, O'Hare Air and Space Port, Space Station.]
Spacing: Exposing someone or something to vacuum, spacing is also used to describe leaving an airlock without a helmet or removing your helmet in vacuum conditions. [See: Air Pressure, Pressure Suit, Rip, Safety Bandage.]
Space Station: A large installation in permanent orbit around a planet or moon. The International Space Station, also known as Space Station Alpha or the ISS, is currently orbiting the Earth and under construction. [See: Gagarin Spaceport, Space Station Alpha, Spaceport.]
Space Station Alpha: A large space station and docking port in high Earth orbit. The ISS is used as a transfer point between deep space and Earth's surface as well as an experimental platform for current scientific work. [See: Spaceport.]
Speed of Light: The speed of light in a vacuum is the fastest possible speed in the Universe. Light, radio, television signals, and radiation from the sun are all forms of light (also called electromagnetic radiation.) These light waves travel 300,000 kilometers per second (186,000 miles per second.) In one minute, a flashlight beam travels 11.2 million miles; in one year, light will travel over 6 trillion miles. This is still less than 1/4th the distance to the nearest star. The speed of light also affects the time delay when talking to someone on the Moon (or another planet.) The communication delay to the Moon and back is about 3 seconds; this represents the time between 'How are you?' and 'I'm fine!' Communication delays to Mars run between 6 and 45 minutes! [See: Three Second Delay.]
Sterile: Sterile items are germ free; no life of any kind can exist in a sterile area. The presence of any type of life makes an object or area non-sterile. The term sterile usually refers to being free of microorganisms. [See: Antibiotic.]
Strewn Field: An area where meteorites have landed on the ground is a strewn field. On Earth, strewn fields are often created when a meteor breaks up in the atmosphere, scattering pieces over a wide area. On the Moon, strewn fields occur because a meteorite explodes on impact, scattering debris in every direction. This is technically called an ejecta blanket. [See: Ejecta, Ejecta Blanket, Impact Crater, Regolith, Rays.]
Strike: 1) A place where a meteorite has hit the surface of a moon or planet, creating an impact crater. 2) The discovery of a deposit of valuable ore or minerals. [See: Helium-3 Deposit, Helium Prospecting, Prospecting.]
Sub-Crater: A small crater that was made inside of, or overlapping a larger one. [See: Impact Crater, Maria.]
Suit Discipline: The regular routine of checking your suit before you go out on the lunar surface. Suit discipline also refers to cleaning and replacing scrubbers, air and water supplies to make sure your suit is in working order before you go out. [See: Air Pressure, Apathy, Pressure Suit, Spacing.]
Survival Shelter: A self-inflating dome about two meters in diameter that allows a wounded or stranded traveler on the Moon or Mars to eat and drink without a helmet. A survival shelter generally contains enough air, water and food to provide 48-72 hours. [See: Habitat.]
Suture: A strong, sterile, surgical thread that doctors use to sew bad wounds closed - also called 'stitches'.
Synchronous Orbit: A natural process that occurs when a satellite slows its own rotation enough so that the same side of the satellite always faces the planet it orbits. Like all natural objects, moons and asteroids are not perfectly balanced; over time, the heavier side will come to rest perpetually facing the home planet. If the planet is large (strong gravitational field) or if the satellite forms in orbit around the home planet, the process happens more rapidly. For Luna, its rotation time to spin on its axis and its revolution time around the Earth is the same - 27.3 days. This means Luna has a far side that never faces Earth as well as a near side that never turns away from Earth. There are many examples of synchronous rotation in our solar system. [See: Far Side, Near Side, Orbit.]
Terminator: The line between light and darkness on a planet's surface. The line moves as the planet or moon rotates on its axis in space. People standing on the terminator are experiencing either sunrise or sunset. [See: Appendix I - Lunar Orbit and Phases.]
Terra: The proper Latin name for Earth. [See: Earthman, Terran, Terrie.]
Terrans: A term for people who live on (or are loyal to) the Earth. The impolite form of this word is Terrie. [See: Loonie, Terra, Terran.]
Terrestrial: On, part of, or having to do with the Earth. Terrestrial planets or terrestrial gravity, for example.
Terrie: The impolite way to refer to someone living on, or loyal to, the Earth. [See: Loonie, Terran.]
Three-Second Delay: The time delay between speaking and hearing a reply when telephoning someone on the Moon from Earth or vice-versa. [See: Speed of Light.]
Track and Field: A series of athletic competitions that emphasize running and jumping. [See: All System Finals.]
Tram: A low-speed transport for carrying people and luggage; often used where there are large parking lots such as at airports and amusement parks.
Tranquility Base: The site of the first manned lunar landing by Neil Armstrong and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin on July 20th, 1969. Also the first place any human had set foot on another world. [See: Apollo Monuments, Schmidt-Sabine LEX.]
Trans-System Trajectory: A path that takes a ship from Earth to the Moon or vice-versa. [See: Escape Velocity, Passenger Liner.]
Twilight: The time of day when the sun has set, but the sky is not yet dark. Twilight occurs because the Earth's atmosphere bends light around the curve of the planet. Twilight occurs immediately after sunset or before dawn and can last up to an hour. This effect only occurs on planets with atmosphere, such as Earth and Mars. Twilight never occurs on the Moon because there is no air there to create it! [See: Atmosphere, Terminator.]
Tycho Crater: A large and recently formed crater on the Moon. Tycho was formed well after the maria and most cratering took place. Tycho is only a few tens of millions of years old! [See: Ejecta, Impact Crater, Rays, Tycho's Rays.]
Tycho's Rays: Rays are dusty streaks left on the lunar surface after the creation of a crater. Because the Moon has no atmosphere to scatter and suspend dust in clouds, the dust from the explosion travels in straight lines for thousands of kilometers. The dust is deposited in straight lines that may be many kilometers wide, but only a few millimeters thick. These dusty streaks reflect more light than surrounding, older dust and show up as bright lines radiating away from the crater. Tycho's rays can only be seen within a day or two of the full moon; since the rays are too short to cast shadows, they cannot be seen at any other time. [See: Ejecta, Ejecta Blanket, Impact Crater, Rays.]
Φ Tycho's Rim South: A LEX that is built into the south rim of the crater Tycho. [See: LEX.]
Ultraviolet: A type of sunlight or solar radiation. Ultraviolet rays can cause damage to skin, resulting in sunburn or even skin cancer. Earth's atmosphere shields all life there from excessive UV radiation. On the Moon, homes built into the ground or covered with soil perform the same function. Lunar clothing has foil layers inside the fabric to give the same protection when you are outdoors. [See: Gene Therapy, Ionizing Radiation, Radiation, Radiation Damage.]
Ursa Majoris: Latin for 'the Great Bear', Ursa Majoris is a constellation in the northern sky. In America, it is known as the 'Big Dipper', while in England and much of Europe, it is known as 'the Plough'. [See: Constellation.]
Vegetarian: Someone who doesn't eat meat. On the Moon, this also means someone who restricts themselves to K-products such as K-Beef, which is made from krill. [See: K-Beef, Krill, Oxygen/Krill Farms, Meatless Diet.]
Videophone: Similar to our present-day telephone, except with a camera and screen on each end. You can see the other person talking and listening to you. [See: Three Second Delay.]
Waning: 1) Getting smaller, shrinking. 2) Refers to the phases of the Moon between full and new where the Moon's lighted portion visible to the Earth is shrinking day by day. [See: Appendix I-Lunar Orbit and Phases.]
Water Futures: Similar to stocks, bonds, and commodities traded on Earth. Water futures are a way for people to invest their money in the water market. [See: Copernican Stock Exchange, Water Stocks.]
Water Reclamation: Comprehensive water recycling. Water from every human and industrial use is recycled, even wet trash such as food scraps would have water reclaimed from it.
Water Stocks: Investments in companies that buy, sell, treat, distribute, and reclaim water. [See: Copernican Stock Exchange, Water Futures.]
Waxing: Growing larger or increasing in size. Waxing phases of the Moon occur between new moon and full moon when the lighted portion of the Moon is getting larger as seen from Earth. [See: Appendix I-Lunar Orbit and Phases.]
X-Radiation: A powerful ionizing radiation, strong enough to penetrate the human body and do damage to internal organs. Medical uses of x-rays use ultra-low doses of x-rays that are not harmful, but uncontrolled exposure to x-rays on the lunar surface can be far more dangerous than ultraviolet rays because the x-ray has much greater penetrating power. [See: Gene Therapy, Ionizing Radiation, Radiation, Radiation Damage, Shielding.]
X-Rays: [See: X-Radiation.]
Zero Gravity: Being in free-fall. Technically, there is no zero gravity location anywhere in our solar system because the Sun's gravity affects everything in our solar system! In free-fall, everything in your ship is falling at the same rate, therefore you experience no force of gravity pulling you 'down' in one direction or another. Objects seem to float and appear weightless, but zero-gravity does not affect inertia, or how difficult it is to stop or start an object moving. An asteroid hitting the Moon in free-fall is 'weightless', but not massless; it still has tremendous inertia that does the work of carving out the impact crater. [See: Acceleration Gravity, Orbit, Passenger Liner.]
Zero-Gee: A slang term for zero gravity. [See: Zero Gravity.]