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). · Rather than being a planet or a star, the moon is a natural satellite that orbits the Earth. The moon formed around 4.5 billion years ago due to a collision between the Earth and another planet. · But is our moon actually a planet? The answer is technically no — at least according to NASA and the International Astronomical Union (IAU), an important global authority in astronomy. An object... · What is the difference between a moon and a planet? Trick question! According to scientific definitions, there often isn’t much of a difference at all. That might seem counterintuitive, but... · What makes a planet a planet? The Moon is so big compared to the Earth -- roughly one-quarter our planet's size -- that occasionally you will hear our system being referred to as a "double... · A moon is an object that orbits a planet or something else that is not a star. Besides planets, moons can circle dwarf planets, large asteroids, and other bodies. Objects that orbit other objects are also called satellites, so moons are sometimes called natural satellites. · In essence, the Moon doesn’t meet the criteria to be classified as a planet. It’s more of a sidekick to Earth, not a standalone hero in the cosmic story. The Moon is a fascinating celestial body. It’s smaller compared to Earth, with a diameter of about 3,474 kilometers.
