In geophysical terms, the Moon is a planetary-mass object or satellite planet. Its mass is 1.2% that of the Earth, and its diameter is 3,474 km (2,159 mi), roughly one-quarter of Earth's (about as wide as the contiguous United States).

3 days ago · The Moon makes Earth more livable by moderating our home planet’s wobble on its axis, leading to a relatively stable climate. It also causes tides, creating a rhythm that has guided humans for thousands of years. The Moon rotates exactly once each time it orbits our planet.

Jan 30, 2025 · As the Moon orbits Earth, different parts are in sunlight or darkness at different times. The changing illumination is why, from our perspective, the Moon goes through phases. During a “full moon,” the hemisphere of the Moon we …

Jan 31, 2025 · Moon, Earth’s sole natural satellite and nearest celestial body. Known since prehistoric times, it is the brightest object in the sky after the Sun. Its name in English, like that of Earth, is of Germanic and Old English derivation.

Jan 14, 2025 · Earth has just one moon – a rocky, cratered place, roughly a quarter the size of Earth and an average of 238,855 miles away. The Moon can be seen with the naked eye most nights as it traces its 27-day orbit around our planet.

Jan 17, 2025 · Sometimes the Moon seems to disappear. These shifts are called moon phases. The eight lunar phases are, in order: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent. The cycle repeats once a month (every 29.5 days).

2 days ago · Kenneth Chang recently reported on new views within some of the moon’s darkest craters. Feb. 4, 2025 Two canyons near the south pole of the moon rival the Grand Canyon, both in depth and length.

The brightest and largest object in our night sky, the Moon makes Earth a more livable planet by moderating our home planet's wobble on its axis, leading to a relatively stable climate. It also causes tides, creating a rhythm that has guided humans for thousands of years.

Dec 5, 2024 · A moon is an object that orbits a planet or something else that is not a star. Besides planets, moons can circle dwarf planets, large asteroids, and other bodies. Objects that orbit other objects are also called satellites, so moons are sometimes called natural satellites.

Jan 11, 2024 · The orbit changes over the course of the year so the distance from the Moon to Earth roughly ranges from 357,000 km to 407,000 km, giving velocities ranging from 1.100 to 0.966 km/s. Lunar Atmosphere