Outline of the Moon

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the Moon:

Moon – Earth's only permanent natural satellite. It is one of the largest natural satellites in the Solar System, and the largest among planetary satellites relative to the size of the planet that it orbits (its primary). It is the second-densest satellite among those whose densities are known (after Jupiter's satellite Io).

What type of thing is the Moon?

The Moon can be described as all of the following:

  • Natural satellite – celestial body that orbits another celestial body of greater mass (e.g. a planet, star, or dwarf planet), called its primary.[1][2] For example, the Moon is a natural satellite of Earth, and Earth is a natural satellite of the Sun.

Characteristics of the Moon

Selenography of the Moon

Selenography – study of the surface and physical features of the Moon. Historically, the principal concern of selenographists was the mapping and naming of the lunar maria, craters, mountain ranges, and other various features. This task was largely finished when high resolution images of the near and far sides of the Moon were obtained by orbiting spacecraft during the early space era. Nevertheless, some regions of the Moon remain poorly imaged (especially near the poles) and the exact locations of many features (like crater depths) are uncertain by several kilometers.

Geographical features on the Moon

Features on the Moon

Appearance and motion of the Moon

History

Exploration of the Moon

Flyby and direct lunar missions

Proposed lunar missions

See also

References

  1. ^ "Satellite". www.merriam-webster.com. Merriam Webster. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  2. ^ Stillman, Dan (16 June 2015). "What Is a Satellite?". www.nasa.gov. NASA. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
Cartographic resources
Observation tools