Moon

The Moon is the closest celestial body to Earth.

  • Diameter: 3,476 km
  • Distance from Earth: 384,400 km
  • Gravity is less than Earth
  • No water or atmosphere
  • Takes 27 days to revolve around Earth
Moon

The Moon – Earth’s natural satellite

Phases of the Moon

The Moon appears in different shapes every month.

  • New Moon: Moon is invisible
  • Waxing Crescent: Small bright shape grows
  • Full Moon: Moon appears completely round
  • Waning Crescent: Bright part decreases

The Moon is non-luminous; we see it because it reflects sunlight.

Moon Phases

Moon phases diagram

Lunar Month

  • Sidereal Month: Time Moon takes to orbit Earth once (27.3 days)
  • Synodic Month: Time between two new moons (29.5 days)

The difference occurs because Earth also moves around the Sun.

Moon Orbit

Moon orbit

Solar and Lunar Calendar

Festivals in Nepal are based on the lunar calendar. Occasionally, an extra month is added called Adhik Maas to keep lunar and solar calendars aligned.

Lunar Calendar

Lunar calendar