moon

CE5

The moon: Near side

CE5

The moon: Far side

moon, natural satellite of a planet (see satellite, natural) or dwarf planet, in particular, the single natural satellite of the earth.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Formation and Evolution
• Internal Structure
• Surface Features
• Physical Characteristics
• Tidal Influence of the Moon
• Solar and Lunar Eclipses
• Retarded Lunar Motion
• The Lunar Orbit and Phases
• The Lunar Month
• The Earth-Moon System
• Bibliography

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2025, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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