Discover what we know about Earth's lunar companion with the latest moon news, features and articles.
The Moon, classically known as Selene, is the only natural satellite of Earth. It orbits around Earth at an average distance of 384,399 kilometres (238,854 mi), [f] a distance roughly 30 times the width of Earth. It completes an orbit (lunar month) in relation to Earth and the Sun (synodically) every 29.5 days. The Moon and Earth are bound by gravitational attraction, which is stronger on the ...
Earth's Moon records evidence of our solar system's history in the form of impact craters, cooled lava landforms, ancient ice deposits, and more.
The moon phase today is calculated in real time using high-precision astronomical algorithms verified against NASA lunar ephemeris data. The calculator above shows current illumination, moonrise and moonset times for your location, lunar age in days, and the date of the next Full Moon. Use it to plan fishing and hunting trips around peak moonlight, or explore our lunar astrology section for ...
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.
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.
What's the Moon's phase today? With our 2026 Moon Phase Calendar, you'll find the current Moon phase for tonight—plus, all the phases of the Moon for each day of the month. We also highlight the date and time for the four main Moon phases—the New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter Moon—as well as provide daily Moon illumination percentages and the Moon's current age. Unlike ...