A recent study published in Communications Earth & Environment examines how the Earth’s Moon could be the source of the near-Earth asteroid (NEA), Kamo`oalewa (also known as 469219 Kamo`oalewa), which ... 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).

Understanding the Context

During a "full moon," the hemisphere of the Moon we can see from Earth is fully illuminated by the Sun. And a "new moon" occurs when the far side of the Moon has full sunlight, and the side facing us is having its night. 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.

Key Insights

Get details on the current moon phase and the next full moon date. 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 century ago. 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.

Final Thoughts

The Moon’s diameter is approximately 2,160 miles (3,475... From any location on the Earth, the Moon appears to be a circular disk which, at any specific time, is illuminated to some degree by direct sunlight. Like the Earth, the Moon is a sphere which is always half illuminated by the Sun, but as the Moon orbits the Earth we get to see more or less of the illuminated half. During each lunar orbit (a lunar month), we see the Moon's appearance change ...