Natural Satellite Moon Definition

Its name in english like that of earth is of germanic and old english derivation.

Natural satellite moon definition. Moon definition the earth s natural satellite orbiting the earth at a mean distance of 238 857 miles 384 393 km and having a diameter of 2 160 miles 3 476 km. Most orbit the giant planets with saturn and jupiter leading moon counts but even smaller worlds like pluto can have five moons in orbit. Learn more about the moon in this article. As it orbits the sun 469219 kamoʻoalewa appears to circle around earth as well.

These have been called second moons of earth. A moon may also be referred to as a natural satellite although to differentiate it from other astronomical bodies orbiting another body e g. Luna in spanish and italian lune in. Known since prehistoric times it is the brightest object in the sky after the sun.

Planets and asteroids in our solar system orbit the sun. The moon orbiting the earth is truly unique for while it has the characteristics of a regular satellite it originated from the impact of a proto planetary collision. Although the moon is earth s only natural satellite there are a number of near earth objects neos with orbits that are in resonance with earth. Moons also known as natural satellites orbit planets and asteroids.

There are more than 200 moons in our solar system. In the solar system there are six planetary satellite systems containing 205 known natural satellites. A planet orbiting a star the term moon is used exclusively to make a reference to a planet s natural satellite. A natural satellite a solid object in orbit around a planet a dwarf planet a minor planet or a transneptunian object is sometimes referred to as a moon with a small m in public usage.

The earth s moon is among the solar system s largest natural satellites and because it is in a synchronous rotation people have and will only see one side of it. Moon definition is the earth s natural satellite that shines by the sun s reflected light revolves about the earth from west to east in about 291 2 days with reference to the sun or about 271 3 days with reference to the stars and has a diameter of 2160 miles 3475 kilometers a mean distance from the earth of about 238 900 miles 384 400 kilometers and a mass about one eightieth that. Many other sites have similar explanations. Pluto haumea makemake and eris.

Moons come in many shapes sizes and types. Four iau listed dwarf planets are also known to have natural satellites. In roman mythology the moon is luna and this latin origin prevails in latin rooted modern languages to this day. A natural satellite or moon is in the most common usage an astronomical body that orbits a planet or minor planet or sometimes another small solar system body.

Moon earth s sole natural satellite and nearest celestial body.