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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]].<ref>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.</ref> 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 (or 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.

The Moon is just far enough away from the Earth to appear at the same size as the Sun.  This creates a unique symmetry and phenomenal [[solar eclipse]]s.  

The Moon is just far enough away from the Earth to appear at the same size as the Sun.  This creates a unique symmetry and phenomenal [[solar eclipse]]s.  

In precise terms, the ratio of the apparent diameter of the Moon to that of the Sun is on average 0.97<ref name="creationresearch.org">Faulkner, Danny R. (June 1998). [https://crs-alchemy-attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/pdf/crsq-1998-volume-35-number-1.pdf "The angular size of the moon and other planetary satellites: An argument for design".] ''Creation Research Society Quarterly'' (St. Joseph, MO: Creation Research Society), vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 23-6.</ref> with a variation (due almost entirely to the [[orbital eccentricity|eccentricity]] of the Moon's orbit) of roughly ±0.05.<ref>Walker, John (May 1997). [http://www.fourmilab.ch/earthview/moon_ap_per.html "Inconstant moon: the moon at apogee and perigee"]. Fourmilab Switzerland website.</ref>

In precise terms, the ratio of the apparent diameter of the Moon to that of the Sun is on average 0.97<ref name="creationresearch.org">Faulkner, Danny R. (June 1998). [https://crs-alchemy-attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/pdf/crsq-1998-volume-35-number-1.pdf "The angular size of the moon and other planetary satellites: An argument for design."] ''Creation Research Society Quarterly'' (St. Joseph, MO: Creation Research Society), vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 23-6.</ref> with a variation (due almost entirely to the [[orbital eccentricity|eccentricity]] of the Moon's orbit) of roughly ±0.05.<ref>Walker, John (May 1997). [http://www.fourmilab.ch/earthview/moon_ap_per.html "Inconstant moon: the moon at apogee and perigee"]. Fourmilab Switzerland website.</ref>

Of the known satellites in the [[Solar System]], only three others exhibit the phenomenon of being close in apparent size to the Sun when viewed from their parent planet. These are [[Saturn]]'s moons Prometheus and Epimetheus (with average diameter ratios of 1.03 and 0.95) and [[Uranus]]'s Cordelia (1.08).<ref name="creationresearch.org"/> Given the figure of approximately 170 known planetary satellites in the Solar System (though the figure regularly increases with new discoveries), this gives as an [[Probability|empirical probability]] for the phenomenon of 4/170 or 2.4%, which is consistent with the theoretical figure.

Of the known satellites in the [[Solar System]], only three others exhibit the phenomenon of being close in apparent size to the Sun when viewed from their parent planet. These are [[Saturn]]'s moons Prometheus and Epimetheus (with average diameter ratios of 1.03 and 0.95) and [[Uranus]]'s Cordelia (1.08).<ref name="creationresearch.org"/> Given the figure of approximately 170 known planetary satellites in the Solar System (though the figure regularly increases with new discoveries), this gives as an [[Probability|empirical probability]] for the phenomenon of 4/170 or 2.4%, which is consistent with the theoretical figure.