All celestial objects found within our Solar System have unique characteristics based on their movement, surface features, atmosphere (if there is one), and locations in space.
Moons are Natural Satellites
A natural satellite is a smaller celestial object which moves around a larger celestial object such as a Moon orbiting around a planet.
- Moons are studied in relation to the planet or celestial object they orbit.
- The movement of moons is classified by their revolution around a planet or other celestial object.
- Typically moons including Earth's Moon also rotate on an axis.
- Most moons are rocky objects covered with craters, but some have very unique and interesting characteristics (maybe more so than most planets!).
- The planets of our Solar System—and even some asteroids—hold more than 150 moons in their orbits, but not all planets have moons.
Major Moons of Our Solar System
Earth's MoonEarth's Moon is it's only natural satellite. Earth's Moon is the fifth largest moon in the Solar System. Earth's Moon helps stabilize our planet's rotation, which also helps stabilize our climate. The Moon's distance from Earth is about 240,000 miles and it's surface is entirely cratered from impacts.
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Video Guide:
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Bonus Video
Watch this video if you are interested in some of the most bizarre moons in our Solar System that shouldn't even exist! |
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Topic Tips
- Only some planets in our Solar System have moons.
- Moons are also called natural satellites and are characterized by orbiting around planets.
- Many moon's all over the Solar System have very unique and interesting characteristics (even more so than many planets)!