Moon-Gazing

Moon is the natural satellite of Earth and the fifth largest natural satellite in our solar system, It revolves around us, while the Earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the Sun. Through this phenomenon, we can see the difference in the appearance of the moon daily.

If the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun in its orbit, then the back side of the Moon is lit up and the side facing the Earth is in darkness. This is called a new moon.

If the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, then the near side of the Moon will be fully lit up: a full Moon.

A full Moon happens roughly every 29.5 days. This is the length of time it takes for the Moon to go through one whole lunar phase cycle.

Interesting fact- “The Moon always shows Earth the same face.”

The Moon is a spherical rocky body, probably with a slight metallic core, revolving around the Earth in a slightly eccentric orbit at a mean distance of about 384,000 km (238,600 miles). Its equatorial radius is 1,738 km (1,080 miles), and its shape is slightly flattened so that it bulges a little in the direction of Earth.

The Moon appears in different shapes in the sky depending on its ‘phase’, from the new moon to the full moon via ‘waxing’ (growing) and ‘waning’ (shrinking) moons. These phases are determined by the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.