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The '''Moon''' is Earth's satellite and orbits it<ref>It is more correct to say that the Earth and the Moon orbit each other around a gravitational midpoint called the ''barycenter.'' This point is, however, actually inside the Earth, about 3/4 from its center. It is not the Earth, but the barycenter of the Earth/Moon system, that orbits the Sun in a near-perfect ellipse. Relative to this ellipse, Earth is 3,000 miles closer to the Sun at full moon and 3,000 miles further from the Sun at new moon.</ref> at an average distance of about 238,000 miles (380,000 km.)
The '''Moon''' is Earth's satellite and orbits it<ref>It is more correct to say that the Earth and the Moon orbit each other around a gravitational midpoint called the ''barycenter.'' This point is, however, actually inside the Earth, about 3/4 from its center. It is not the Earth, but the barycenter of the Earth/Moon system, that orbits the Sun in a near-perfect ellipse. Relative to this ellipse, Earth is 3,000 miles closer to the Sun at full moon and 3,000 miles further from the Sun at new moon.</ref> at an average distance of about 238,000 miles (380,000 km.)
The gravitational force of the Moon causes the ocean [[tides]]; these tidal forces have other effects as well.
Unlike most planets, Earth has only one moon and it has several striking characteristics:
Unlike most planets, Earth has only one moon and it has several striking characteristics: