SOLAR SYSTEM

Detailed explanation-1: -Regardless of size, the primary difference between a moon and a planet is what it orbits. Planets all revolve around a star, like our sun. Moons, however, orbit planets. While this means that they too go around the sun, they only do so as a passenger on their planet’s journey.

Detailed explanation-2: -The diameter of the moon is only one-fourth of that of the earth. Also, the mass of the moon is much lesser compared to that of the earth. The earth’s atmosphere is multi-layered and very strong. The moon does not have strong atmosphere around it.

Detailed explanation-3: -Most planets have moons, but Earth’s moon is distinct in that it is large compared to the size of Earth; the moon’s radius is larger than a quarter of Earth’s radius, a much larger ratio than most moons to their planets.

Detailed explanation-4: -In addition, because the Moon’s orbit is elliptical, moving faster when it’s closest to Earth and slower when it’s farthest away, the face of the Moon that’s visible changes ever-so-slightly, a phenomenon known as lunar libration.