Moon

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This article is about Earth's natural satellite. For moons in general, see Natural satellite.
For other uses, see Moon (disambiguation).

Moon 

Full moon seen from Earth

Designations

Designation Earth I

Alternative names Luna

Selene (poetic)

Cynthia (poetic)

Adjectives Lunar

Selenian (poetic)

Cynthian (poetic)

Moonly (poetic)

Orbital characteristics

Epoch J2000

Perigee 362600 km

(356400–370400 km)

Apogee 405400 km
 (404000–406700 km)

Semi-major axis 384399 km  (1.28 ls, 0.00257 AU)[1]

Eccentricity 0.0549[1]

Orbital period 27.321661 d

(27 d 7 h 43 min 11.5 s[1])

Synodic period 29.530589 d

(29 d 12 h 44 min 2.9 s)

Average orbital speed 1.022 km/s

Inclination 5.145° to the ecliptic[2][a]

Longitude of Regressing by one revolution in

ascending node 18.61 years

Argument of perigee Progressing by one

revolution in 8.85 years

Satellite of Earth[b][3]

Physical characteristics

Mean radius 1737.4 km  

(0.2727 of Earth's)[1][4][5]

Equatorial radius 1738.1 km  

(0.2725 of Earth's)[4]

Polar radius 1736.0 km  

(0.2731 of Earth's)[4]

Flattening 0.0012[4]

Circumference 10921 km  (equatorial)

Surface area 3.793×107 km2  

(0.074 of Earth's)

Volume 2.1958×1010 km3  

(0.020 of Earth's)[4]

Mass 7.342×1022 kg  

(0.012300 of Earth's)[1][4][6]

Mean density 3.344 g/cm3[1][4]

0.606 × Earth

Surface gravity 1.62 m/s2  (0.1654 g)[4]

 Moment of inertia factor 0.3929±0.0009[7]

Escape velocity 2.38 km/s

(8600 km/h; 5300 mph)

Sidereal rotation period 27.321661 d  (synchronous)

Equatorial 4.627 m/s

rotation velocity

Axial tilt 1.5424° to ecliptic

6.687° to orbit plane[2]

24° to Earth's equator [8]

North pole right ascension 17h 47m 26s

266.86°[9]

North pole declination 65.64°[9]

Albedo 0.136[10]

Surface temp. min mean max

Equator 100 K 250 K 390 K
85°N  150 K 230 K[11]

Apparent magnitude −2.5 to −12.9[c]

−12.74  (mean full moon)[4]

Angular diameter 29.3 to 34.1 arcminutes[4][d]

Atmosphere[12]

Surface pressure 10−7 Pa (1 picobar)  (day)

10−10 Pa (1 femtobar)   

(night)[e]

Composition by volume He

Ar

Ne

Na

The Moon from Earth

The Moon is Earth's only proper natural satellite. It is one-quarter the diameter of Earth

(comparable to the width of Australia),[13] making it the largest natural satellite in
the Solar System relative to the size of its planet. It is the fifth largest satellite in the
Solar System and is larger than any dwarf planet. The Moon orbits Earth at an
average lunar distance of 384,400 km (238,900 mi),[14] or about 30 times Earth's
diameter. Its gravitational influence produces Earth's tides and slightly lengthens Earth's
day. The Moon is classified as a planetary-mass object and a differentiated rocky body.
It lacks any significant atmosphere, hydrosphere, or magnetic field, and its surface
gravity is about one-sixth of Earth's (0.1654 g). Jupiter's moon Io is the only satellite in
the Solar System known to have a higher surface gravity and density.
The Moon's orbit around Earth has a sidereal period of 27.3 days, and a synodic
period of 29.5 days. The synodic period drives its lunar phases, which form the basis for
the months of a lunar calendar. The Moon is tidally locked to Earth, which means that
the length of a full rotation of the Moon on its own axis (a lunar day) is the same as the
synodic period, resulting in its same side (the near side) always facing Earth. That said,
59% of the total lunar surface can be seen from Earth through shifts in perspective
(its libration).[15]
The near side of the Moon is marked by dark volcanic maria ("seas"), which fill the
spaces between bright ancient crustal highlands and prominent impact craters. The
lunar surface is relatively non-reflective, with a reflectance just slightly brighter than that
of worn asphalt. However, because it reflects direct sunlight, is contrasted by
the relatively dark sky, and has a large apparent size when viewed from Earth, the
Moon is the brightest celestial object in Earth's sky after the Sun. The Moon's apparent
size is nearly the same as that of the Sun, allowing it to cover the Sun almost
completely during a total solar eclipse.