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).
The Moon makes Earth more livable, sets the rhythm of ocean tides, and keeps a record of our solar system's history. Explore NASA lunar science here.
Live Science brings you the best moon facts and answers all of your lunar queries, from how did the moon form and whether the moon could ever be pushed from orbit to what is the "man in the...
Reference See what moon phase it is tonight and find out when you can see the rest of the moon phases for 2026. The Artemis 2 astronauts captured a unique image of the moon's "dark side" during ...
Track the moon phase today with our interactive moon phase calculator. Get details on the current moon phase and the next full moon date.
The Moon was the first new world on which humans set foot; the information brought back from those expeditions, together with that collected by automated spacecraft and remote-sensing observations, has led to a knowledge of the Moon that surpasses that of any other cosmic body except Earth itself.
What is the moon made of, and how did it form? Learn about the moon's violent origins, how its phases shaped the earliest calendars, and how humans first explored Earth's only natural satellite half a century ago.
How big is the Moon? The Moon is Earth’s only permanent natural satellite, and it’s the fifth-largest satellite in our solar system. The Moon’s diameter is approximately 2,160 miles (3,475...