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 …

Jun 25, 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 in 1959. …

The Moon has eight phases in a lunar month: four primary and four intermediate phases. A Moon cycle, or a lunation, is the time the Moon travels through its lunar phases.

1 day ago · Today's lunar phases, including the moon age and details such as moonrise and moonset. Discover when the moon will reach the full moon phase with a countdown timer.

Sep 7, 2023 · 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...

Sep 17, 2025 · The Moon makes Earth more livable, sets the rhythm of ocean tides, and keeps a record of our solar system's history. Explore NASA lunar science here.

3 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 of Earth, is of …

2 days ago · See the Moon's position in its orbit around Earth in real-time as well as past and future Moon phases, illumination, distance from Earth, and latitude.

The Moon: Complete and live astronomy data, visibility information, sky charts, graphs, and tools for sky-watchers at all levels.

Sep 30, 2025 · China's Chang'e 6 mission returned the first-ever far-side lunar samples, revealing new insights into the moon's interior.