Back to Glossary

The Moon

The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite—a rocky, cratered body about one‑quarter the diameter of Earth, orbiting at an average distance of approximately 384,400 km. It influences tides, stabilizes Earth’s axial tilt, and was formed about 4.5 billion years ago following a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized object.

Source: science.nasa.gov

APODs including "The Moon"

Moon and Morning Star

Moon and Morning Star

24/04/2009

M39: Open Cluster in Cygnus

M39: Open Cluster in Cygnus

12/04/2009

Lunar X

Lunar X

11/03/2009

Gibbous Europa

Gibbous Europa

08/03/2009

Crescent Moon and Venus

Crescent Moon and Venus

06/03/2009

Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, Mars

Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, Mars

26/02/2009

An Etruscan Vase Moon Rising

An Etruscan Vase Moon Rising

23/02/2009

Circle 'round the Moon

Circle 'round the Moon

13/02/2009

Space Station in the Moon

Space Station in the Moon

06/02/2009

A Partial Eclipse Over Manila Bay

A Partial Eclipse Over Manila Bay

28/01/2009

The Milky Way Over Mauna Kea

The Milky Way Over Mauna Kea

27/01/2009

Annular Eclipse: The Ring of Fire

Annular Eclipse: The Ring of Fire

25/01/2009

Largest Full Moon of 2009

Largest Full Moon of 2009

13/01/2009

In the Shadow of Saturn

In the Shadow of Saturn

11/01/2009

Alpine Conjunction

Alpine Conjunction

02/01/2009

Welcome to the International Year of Astronomy

Welcome to the International Year of Astronomy

01/01/2009

Earthrise

Earthrise

24/12/2008

A Halo Around the Moon

A Halo Around the Moon

07/12/2008

Lunar Diamond

Lunar Diamond

06/12/2008

Smile in the Sky

Smile in the Sky

05/12/2008

Venus in the Moon

Venus in the Moon

04/12/2008

A Happy Sky Over Los Angeles

A Happy Sky Over Los Angeles

03/12/2008

An Apollo 15 Panorama: Astronaut Exploring

An Apollo 15 Panorama: Astronaut Exploring

30/11/2008

Endeavour in the Moon

Endeavour in the Moon

20/11/2008

Restored: First Image of the Earth from the Moon

Restored: First Image of the Earth from the Moon

18/11/2008

A Spectacular Rayed Crater on Mercury

A Spectacular Rayed Crater on Mercury

03/11/2008

A Spectre in the Eastern Veil

A Spectre in the Eastern Veil

01/11/2008

An Extraordinary Voyage

An Extraordinary Voyage

17/10/2008

Moon Rays over Byurakan Observatory

Moon Rays over Byurakan Observatory

26/09/2008

A Darkened Sky

A Darkened Sky

20/09/2008