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 …

Dec 17, 2025 · The Earth and Moon are tidally locked. Their rotations are so in sync we only see one side of the Moon. Humans didn't see the lunar far side until a Soviet spacecraft flew past …

2 days ago · Discover fascinating Moon facts—from its size and orbit to gravity, brightness, and temperature. Learn what makes Earth’s Moon truly unique.

We see the full moon when the sun is directly behind us, illuminating a full hemisphere of the moon when it is directly in front of us.

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 …

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 …

2 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 …

Jan 13, 2026 · 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.

5 days ago · The Space Launch System and Orion capsule were transported to the launchpad before an astronaut mission that could launch as soon as Feb. 6.

5 days 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.