The Moon is Earth’s largest satellite and the only other body in the universe that has been visited by humans. It is the fifth largest satellite in the solar system. Its orbit period is 27 days and is in a synchronous orbit with Earth, meaning we only ever see one side of it.
In Astronomy, "the Moon" with a capital 'm', refers to the big, bright shape in the night sky that we see from Earth. The word "moon", with a lowercase 'm', refers to a large satellite orbiting any planet.
The Moon is Earth’s largest natural satellite. It was thought to have formed not long after the Earth had first formed, about 4.5 billion years ago and is composed of similar materials as Earth.
It is the fifth largest natural satellite in the solar system. It has a synchronous rotation with Earth, meaning we only ever see one side of it as it orbits the Earth. It has an orbital period of 27 days. During this time, we see the Moon as different shapes in the night sky. These phases of the Moon are caused by the relative position of the Moon, Earth, and Sun.
A competition between the Soviet Union and the USA, known as the Space Race, led to an acceleration of advances in lunar exploration. The Soviet Union managed to become the first country to impact a human made spacecraft on the Moon. The Moon is the first (and so far only) object in our solar system that humans have visited. On July 21, 1969 Neil Armstrong, commander of the Apollo 11 mission, became the first person to walk on the Moon. He was one of twelve people to walk on the surface of the Moon, the last person have walked on the Moon was Eugene Cernan. Cernan left the lunar surface on December 14, 1972 as part of the Apollo 17 mission.
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- Orbital Period: 27 Earth days
- Diameter: 3,475 km
- Distance from the Earth: 384,400 km
- Strength of Gravity: 1.62 N/kg
- Number of humans who have walked on the surface: 12
The Moon is a moon, but a moon is not always the Moon.
Be sure to check out the Earth and Moon lesson plans.
How Tos about The Moon: Fun Facts
Engage students with a hands-on Moon phase activity
Introduce the concept of Moon phases by showing pictures and asking students what they notice about the shapes. This sparks curiosity and sets the stage for learning.
Guide students in creating a Moon phase calendar
Help students track the Moon’s appearance each night for one month. Have them draw or photograph the Moon and label each phase. This builds observation skills and connects science to everyday life.
Facilitate a group discussion on why the Moon looks different each night
Encourage students to share their observations and theories. Use guiding questions to prompt thinking about sunlight, shadows, and the Moon’s movement around Earth.
Incorporate art by having students model Moon phases with cookies
Provide students with sandwich cookies and instruct them to twist and shape the cream to represent each phase. This makes learning fun and reinforces understanding through hands-on creativity.
Assess understanding with a short quiz or drawing activity
Review key concepts by asking students to identify or draw the phases of the Moon. Use their responses to gauge comprehension and address any misconceptions.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Moon: Fun Facts
What is the Moon?
The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. It orbits our planet and appears as a bright object in the night sky, reflecting sunlight.
How does the Moon affect Earth?
The Moon influences Earth's tides through its gravitational pull, helps stabilize Earth's rotation, and impacts some animal behaviors and natural cycles.
Why does the Moon have phases?
The phases of the Moon occur because we see different portions of its sunlit side as it orbits Earth, creating shapes like new moon, crescent, and full moon.
How is the Moon different from the Sun?
The Moon is a rocky satellite that reflects sunlight, while the Sun is a giant star that produces its own light and heat for our solar system.
Can you see the Moon during the daytime?
Yes, the Moon is often visible during the day, especially when it is in certain phases and positioned away from the Sun in the sky.
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