The Moon, classically known as Selene, is the only natural satellite of Earth. It orbits around Earth at an average distance of 384,399 kilometres (238,854 mi), [f] a distance roughly 30 times the width of Earth. It completes an orbit (lunar month) in relation to Earth and the Sun (synodically) every 29.5 days.

Understanding the Context

The Moon and Earth are bound by gravitational attraction, which is stronger on the ... Earth's Moon records evidence of our solar system's history in the form of impact craters, cooled lava landforms, ancient ice deposits, and more. Discover what we know about Earth's lunar companion with the latest moon news, features and articles. Explore the current phase of the moon, its rise and set times, nightly motion across the sky, and discover lunar features with our interactive map.

Key Insights

Stay informed about the celestial movements above. The moon phase today is calculated in real time using high-precision astronomical algorithms verified against NASA lunar ephemeris data. The calculator above shows current illumination, moonrise and moonset times for your location, lunar age in days, and the date of the next Full Moon. Use it to plan fishing and hunting trips around peak moonlight, or explore our lunar astrology section for ... What is the moon made of, and how did it form?

Final Thoughts

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 century ago. The night sky is a captivating canvas of celestial wonders, with the Moon serving as one of its most enchanting features. Learn how Earth's moon formed, how its orbit affects Earth's tides, why solar and lunar eclipses happen and the history of lunar exploration.