the Moon

The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite, about 1/6th the size of our planet. It orbits approximately 238,855 miles away, influencing tides and stabilizing Earth's axial tilt. The Moon's surface features include craters, mountains, and flat plains known as "maria." It goes through phases—new, crescent, half, gibbous, and full—due to its position relative to the Earth and Sun. The Moon has no atmosphere, which means extreme temperature changes and a lack of weather. Its gravitational pull affects various natural processes on Earth, making it an essential part of both our planet’s environment and our cultural identity.