The Moon, Earth’s only natural satellite, is a rocky celestial body that has captivated human curiosity and imagination for millennia. Formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago, likely from a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized body, it plays a vital role in influencing Earth’s tides and stabilizing its axial tilt. With a surface marked by vast plains, craters, and rugged mountains, the Moon offers a fascinating record of solar system history. Its phases and bright appearance make it the most prominent object in our night sky, and it remains the only extraterrestrial body visited by humans.
- Distance to Earth: ~384,400 km (238,855 miles)
- Age: ~4.5 billion years
- Magnitude: Ranges from −12.74 (full moon) to −6.0 (crescent)
- Coordinates: Changes dynamically as it orbits Earth, but its ecliptic latitude and longitude define its position.
- Type: Natural Satellite