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 …

Dec 29, 2025 · Like Earth, the Moon has a day side and a night side, which change as the Moon rotates. The Sun always illuminates half of the Moon while the other half remains dark.

21 hours ago · The rollout sets the stage for tests and dress rehearsals ahead of NASA's first crewed flight to the moon in more than 50 years. The mission could launch in three weeks.

5 days ago · Particles from Earth’s atmosphere have been carried into space by solar wind and landing on the moon for billions of years, mixing into the lunar soil, according to a new study.

Jan 3, 2026 · Use our Moon Phase Calendar to find dates and times of the full Moon, new Moon, and every phase in between. Beyond the phases of the Moon, you will also see daily Moon illumination …

Find the Moon’s illumination, distance, and latitude for any time on any date. The Moon has four primary and four intermediate lunar phases during a lunar month. Here's all you need to know about each …

Sep 7, 2023 · 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...

3 days 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 …

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 …

1 day ago · Stargazers will in one week have a chance to spot Saturn and the moon sharing a section of the night sky in what's known as a conjunction.