Tour the solar system: The Moon

Although humans have always known about Earth's only natural satellite existence , scientists are only recently beginning to understand how it formed and what's beneath its battered surface.

By Bill Andrews

Photo by Anthony Ayiomamitis

People have known about the Moon practically forever, predating their knowledge of most astronomy or, really, anything else. After the Sun, it’s the brightest object in the sky, and the unusual pattern on its face makes it a perfect object for curious minds to wonder about. Its presence in the night sky can mean the difference between inky blackness and brighter surroundings, as any ancient hunter, or modern astronomer, can tell you.

Learn more about our only natural satellite by registering with Astronomy.com and gaining access to the video, "Tour the solar system: The Moon."

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	Sun	Sun	Moon
RISE	—		—	PHASE	—
SET	—		—	DISK	—

	Mercury	Mercury	Venus	Venus
RISE	—		—
SET	—		—
		—		—

	Mars	Mars	Jupiter	Jupiter	Saturn	Saturn
RISE	—		—		—
SET	—		—		—
		—		—		—