Changes

{{Planet|image=Moon2.jpg

{{Planet|image=Moon2.jpg

|caption= The Moon in its third-quarter phase

|caption=The Moon in its third-quarter phase

|primary=Earth

|primary=Earth

|periapsis=363,300 km<ref name=moonfact>Williams, David R. (bef. March 7, 1996). [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/moonfact.html "Moon Fact Sheet"]. [[NASA]] website/Goddard Space Flight Center/NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive/Lunar and Planetary Science/Planetary Fact Sheet.  January 2020 edition.</ref>

|periapsis=363,300 km<ref name=moonfact>Williams, David R. (bef. March 7, 1996). [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/moonfact.html "Moon Fact Sheet"]. [[NASA]] website/Goddard Space Flight Center/NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive/Lunar and Planetary Science/Planetary Fact Sheet.  January 2020 edition.</ref>

|mhl=252.3 a<ref name=calc group=note>Calculated</ref>

|mhl=252.3 a<ref name=calc group=note>Calculated</ref>

}}

}}

A '''moon''' is a body of mass which orbits a [[planet]]. A moon can also orbit another moon, creating a [[moon moon]] - this is theoretically repeatable, but anything past a moon moon is likely in an unstable orbit. The [[Earth]]'s Moon (sometimes known as "Luna") is a natural [[satellite]] orbiting Earth at an average distance of about 238,000 miles (380,000&nbsp;km), The orbital speed of the moon, combining with the reflection of sunlight creates what we know as "phases of the moon". This in turn is the basis for our monthly calendar: a full/new moon occurs roughly once per month.<ref>https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/the-splendor-of-gods-creation/</ref>

A '''moon''' is a body of mass which orbits a [[planet]]. A moon can also orbit another moon, creating a [[moon moon]] - this is theoretically repeatable, but anything past a moon moon is likely in an unstable orbit. The [[Earth]]'s Moon (sometimes known as "Luna") is a natural [[satellite]] orbiting Earth at an average distance of about 238,000 miles (380,000&nbsp;km). The orbital speed of the moon, combining with the reflection of sunlight, creates what we know as "phases of the moon". This in turn is the basis for our monthly calendar: a full/new moon occurs roughly once per month.<ref>https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/the-splendor-of-gods-creation/</ref>

Our Moon is unique in the solar system in its large relative size compared with the [[Earth]]. The Moon appears from the Earth to be the same size as the [[sun]], in perfect artistic symmetry, unlike any known other planet-moon system.  Moreover, unlike most planets in the [[solar system]], [[Earth]] has only one moon, which is designed in three remarkable ways: (1) it rotates and revolves such that only one side is ever visible to the Earth (a common characteristic seen in every single moon in the solar system<ref>https://science.nasa.gov/moon/tidal-locking/</ref>) (2) it is moving away at such a slow rate, it will not noticeably shrink in our sky for thousands of years, (3) its side that faces the Earth is smooth, while the side that remains hidden is jagged.  To those on [[Earth]], the Moon appears as an artistic disc that goes through phases of varying visibility from Earth.

Our Moon is unique in the solar system in its large relative size compared with the [[Earth]]. The Moon appears from the Earth to be the same size as the [[sun]], in perfect artistic symmetry, unlike any known other planet-moon system.  Moreover, unlike most planets in the [[solar system]], [[Earth]] has only one moon, which is designed in three remarkable ways: (1) it rotates and revolves such that only one side is ever visible to the Earth (a common characteristic seen in every single moon in the solar system<ref>https://science.nasa.gov/moon/tidal-locking/</ref>) (2) it is moving away at such a slow rate, it will not noticeably shrink in our sky for thousands of years, (3) its side that faces the Earth is smooth, while the side that remains hidden is jagged.  To those on [[Earth]], the Moon appears as an artistic disc that goes through phases of varying visibility from Earth.

| Earth || 1 || "Moon" or Luna

| Earth || 1 || "Moon" or Luna

|-

|-

| Mars || 2|| Deimos & Phobos

| Mars || 2 || Deimos & Phobos

|-

|-

| Jupiter || 79 ||  

| Jupiter || 79 ||  

| Neptune || 14 ||

| Neptune || 14 ||

|-  

|-  

|Pluto (dwarf) || 5 || Charon, Nix & Hydra

| Pluto (dwarf) || 5 || Charon, Nix & Hydra

|-

|-

| Haumea (dwarf) || 2 ||Namaka & Hi'iaka

| Haumea (dwarf) || 2 || Namaka & Hi'iaka

|-

|-

|Eris || 1 || Dysnomia

| Eris || 1 || Dysnomia

|}

|}

There are at least 182 natural moons known to exist in our solar system, counting those which are in the orbit of dwarf planets.<ref>Multiple references:

There are at least 182 natural moons known to exist in our solar system, counting those which are in the orbit of dwarf planets.<ref>Multiple references:

== Symbolic importance in Islam ==

== Symbolic importance in Islam ==

The crescent moon is an internationally recognized symbol of [[Islam]]. It appears on the flags of several Islamic nations. It also forms part of the official emblems of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.<ref>http://islam.about.com/od/history/a/crescent_moon.htm</ref>

The crescent moon is an internationally recognized symbol of [[Islam]]. It appears on the flags of several Islamic nations. It also forms part of the official emblems of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.<ref>http://islam.about.com/od/history/a/crescent_moon.htm</ref>

== See also ==

== See also ==