The biggest planet in our solar system
How does the Moon move around the Earth?
The Moon orbits Earth in an elliptical path every 27.3 days, held in place by Earth's gravitational pull while its own gravity creates tides on our planet. This orbital motion is governed by the balance between the Moon's tendency to move in a straight line and Earth's gravity constantly pulling it toward us. The Moon gradually recedes from Earth at about 3.8 centimeters per year as orbital mechanics transfer angular momentum.
Earth's Moon records evidence of our solar system's history in the form of impact craters, cooled lava landforms, ancient ice deposits, and more.
Tides are caused by gravitational pull of the moon and the sun
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