The Moon, Earth's only natural satellite, is a celestial body that has fascinated humanity for millennia. Its presence in our night sky has inspired myths, legends, and scientific inquiry. This document provides a concise overview of some key facts about the Moon.
Physical Characteristics
The Moon is a differentiated body, meaning it has a distinct crust, mantle, and core.
|
Characteristic |
Value |
|---|---|
|
Diameter |
3,474 km (2,159 miles) |
|
Mass |
7.342 × 10^22 kg |
|
Surface Gravity |
1.62 m/s² (0.1654 g) |
|
Average Distance from Earth |
384,400 km (238,855 miles) |
|
Orbital Period |
27.32 Earth days |
|
Rotational Period |
27.32 Earth days |
Lunar Phases
The phases of the Moon are the different ways the Moon looks from Earth over about a month. These phases are caused by the changing angles at which we view the Moon's illuminated surface as it orbits Earth.
|
Phase |
Description |
|---|---|
|
New Moon |
The Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and the side facing Earth is not illuminated. |
|
Waxing Crescent |
A small sliver of the Moon becomes visible, growing larger each day. |
|
First Quarter |
Half of the Moon's face is illuminated. |
|
Waxing Gibbous |
More than half of the Moon is illuminated, and the illuminated portion continues to grow. |
|
Full Moon |
The entire face of the Moon is illuminated, as seen from Earth. |
|
Waning Gibbous |
The illuminated portion of the Moon begins to decrease after the full moon. |
|
Last Quarter |
Half of the Moon's face is illuminated, but on the opposite side from the first quarter. |
|
Waning Crescent |
A small sliver of the Moon remains visible, shrinking each day until the new moon. |