Moon

The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite and the fifth-largest moon in the Solar System. It orbits Earth at an average distance of about 384,400 kilometers (238,855 miles). The Moon's gravitational influence is the primary driver of tides on Earth. It has a diameter of 3,474 kilometers (2,159 miles) and is composed of a rocky, cratered surface. The Moon has no atmosphere, which means there is no weather or wind to erode its surface. It is thought to have formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago, likely as a result of a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized body. The Moon has been a source of human fascination for millennia, influencing art, mythology, and science. Its exploration peaked during the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s, which brought back valuable scientific data and samples.