65+ Facts About The Moon: Learn More About Our Natural Satellite

How much do you know about the Earth’s only natural satellite, the Moon?

We observe the Moon every day in the night sky as it is the only natural satellite of our planet. The Moon plays an extremely important role in regulating the weather on Earth.

Without it, there would be high wind speeds and the weather would also be influenced by the ocean tides. A moonless Earth would have a day of eight hours only instead of 24 hours. The night would be darker, and seasons would also be affected.

Read on to know more about the role of the New Moon behind a solar eclipse. Afterward, also check facts about a solar eclipse and Pluto facts.

Fun Facts About The Moon

Do you want to know some interesting details about the Moon? Then here are some interesting and fun Moon facts which you will certainly enjoy.

• The Moon orbits Earth in approximately 27.3 days.
• The Moon has a very thin atmosphere due to the weak magnetic field on the Moon’s surface.
• From Earth, we see only one side of the Moon. The other side is known as the far side (or the dark side).
• The Earth’s shadow on the Moon is known as Umbra.
• Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the Moon.
• The Moon is also known as Luna, Selene, and Cynthia. Its name is derived from the Old English language.
• Its radius is 1,086 mi (1737.4 km).
• The Moon’s surface is darker than it appears from the Earth. This is because it doesn’t have its own light and deflects sunlight.
• During the New Moon, the Sun and the Earth are on the opposite side of the Moon.
• The Moon rotates in its orbit around the Earth, causing high tides and low tides.
• The Moon's orbit is elliptical in shape.
• The Earth has only one permanent natural satellite, the Moon.
• The Earth’s Moon is the fifth largest moon in our solar system.
• It is the second most dense natural satellite in our solar system.
• We only know the densities of some natural satellites. Among them, the Moon is the second densest satellite after Io, a satellite of Jupiter.
• Every year, the Moon moves about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) away from the Earth.
• The Moon experiences moonquakes due to the gravitational pull of Earth.
• Moonquakes can last up to 30 minutes each time.
• The Earth’s Moon has its own time zone, just like the Earth does.
• The Moon has no significant atmosphere surrounding it, especially not one like the Earth.
• Many researchers believe that the Moon was made when a rock smashed into the Earth.
• The United States signed an Outer Space Treaty in 1967.
• The Moon may appear to be spherical. In reality, it is lemon-shaped.
• The Full Moon we see each month has a unique name.
• China is the only country to land on the dark or unexplored side of the Moon. This region cannot be seen from the Earth.
• The temperature of the Moon is -387 to 260 F (-232 to 126 C).
• The dark spots present on the surface of the Moon have a name. They are known as Maria.
• Your shadow on the Moon will be darker than on the Earth.
• The only human to be buried on the Moon is Eugene Shoemaker.
• Many decades ago, there were active volcanoes on the Moon.
• The largest crater on the Moon is the South Pole Aitken.
• The Moon has various small and huge craters formed due to the impact of space rocks like meteors, asteroids, and comets.

Astrological Facts About The Moon

The Moon is a significant body in our night sky as well as space but did you know it has a vital role in astrology too? Some astrological facts about the Moon are mentioned down below. These are some of the most famous astrological beliefs. They may or may not have factual bases.

• In astrology, the Moon is considered the ruler of emotions.
• The Moon rules the zodiac sign Cancer.
• The Moon represents qualities like nurturing, support, emotionality, empathy, gentleness, charm, sociability, and care. Hence, the Moon represents mothers, minds, and souls.
• It also signifies powerful people that inspire and support.
• It is also believed to influence our moods and emotions.
• The gravitational pull of the Moon affects our ocean, and similarly, it affects our body and emotions.
• The basis of this belief may lie in the fact that most of our body is made up of water, and the Moon has control over the Earth's water, which is how it affects the tides.
• The Full Moon heightens or magnifies our emotions.
• The Full Moon causes Cancers, in particular, to be overwhelmed.
• It can make a Taurus anxious about their finances.
• It helps Capricorns to see their priorities clearly.
• It makes a Sagittarius even more creative and free.
• The Full Moon makes Virgos uncomfortable.
• It increases the enthusiasm and creativity in Leos.
• It magnifies the emotions of Scorpios.

The Moon's Relationship With Earth

Do you want to know more about the relationship of the Moon with the Earth? Some of the most interesting facts related to the Moon’s relationship with Earth are given below.

• The Moon is the only natural satellite of the Earth.
• The distance between the Earth and the Moon is approximately 238,855 mi (3,85,000 km).
• Many religions follow the lunar calendar.
• Just like Earth, the Moon also has gravity. The strength of its gravity is about one-sixth of the Earth’s gravity.
• Due to this, on the Moon, you will weigh only one-sixth of your weight on the Earth.
• The tides in the oceans of the Earth are affected by the gravitational pull of the Moon.
• The diameter of the Moon is about one-third the diameter of the Earth.
• The Moon revolves around the Earth at the speed of 2,300 mph (3,700 kph).
• The Moon revolves around the Earth in an anti-clockwise direction.
• The Moon also rotates on its own axis, and it takes about 27.3 days to complete one rotation.
• Due to the same amount of time taken by the Moon to complete its revolution around the Earth and to complete one rotation on its own axis, we always see the same side or face of the Moon.
• This side is known as the near side, while the other side is known as the far side.
• The far side of the Moon was first captured by Luna 3 in 1959. This spacecraft was launched by the Soviet Union.
• The Moon stabilizes the climate on Earth.
• The core of the Moon is small (about 1-2%). It consists of iron, sulfur, and other elements.
• The lunar surface is composed of oxygen (approximately 43%), silicon (approximately 20%), magnesium (approximately 19%), iron (approximately 10%), aluminum (approximately 3%), chromium (approximately 0.42%), titanium (approximately 0.18%), and manganese (approximately 0.12%).
• The Moon is essential for the navigation and migration of many species of birds on the Earth.

Life On The Moon

Is there life on the Moon? Was there ever any life on the Moon? Will there ever be life on the Moon? Below are some Moon facts about the possibility of life on it.

• The Moon has very little water, and it is trapped in ice or rocks.
• The atmosphere of the Moon is known as the exosphere. It is very thin and unbreathable.
• The Moon is dry and airless.
• Due to its thin atmosphere, it has fluctuating temperatures.
• The surface of the Moon, on which the sun shines directly, gets extremely hot and can reach a temperature of 260 F (126 C).
• In the area where the sun rays do not reach, the temperature gets very cold and can reach below -360 F (-218 C), which is beyond freezing.
• There are some unverified theories that suggest that the Moon was formed after a Mars-sized asteroid hit the Earth.
• According to this theory, after the Moon was formed, there was an atmosphere on it, but it didn’t last long, and the Moon dried up.
• Some theories also suggest that life might have existed on the Moon during the early times. They must have been single-celled organisms, their life span was relatively short, and they didn’t evolve to survive.
• Since the gravity of the Moon is only one-sixth of the Earth, the astronauts have to be very careful while walking on the surface.
• In the future, any human-crewed missions to the Moon will have their base on the south pole of the Moon. The reason is the large water reserve in the form of ice and the stable temperature of 32 F (0 C).

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 65+ facts about the Moon: learn more about our natural satellite, then why not take a look at facts about Jupiter or facts about Saturn.