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). The Moon makes Earth more livable, sets the rhythm of ocean tides, and keeps a record of our solar system's history.

Understanding the Context

Explore NASA lunar science here. Live Science brings you the best moon facts and answers all of your lunar queries, from how did the moon form and whether the moon could ever be pushed from orbit to what is the "man in the... Track the moon phase today with our interactive moon phase calculator. Get details on the current moon phase and the next full moon date.

Key Insights

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... Moon Phase for today and tonight with current lunar phase, illumination percentage and Moons age. Find out what the Moon Phase is on any other day of the year.

Final Thoughts

NASA's Artemis II astronauts swung around the moon in their Orion spacecraft on Monday, coming within 4,067 miles of the lunar surface. The Moon was the first new world on which humans set foot; the information brought back from those expeditions, together with that collected by automated spacecraft and remote-sensing observations, has led to a knowledge of the Moon that surpasses that of any other cosmic body except Earth itself. See the Awe-Inspiring New Photos of the Moon and Earth Sent Back From the Artemis 2 Mission The astronauts are on their way home after looping around the moon on a historic flyby. Here are the ...