our Moon

The Moon is the Earth's constant companion in space. It is the only natural satellite of the Earth.

We can see the Moon because it reflects sunlight to us here on Earth.


	The Moon does not shine like the Sun by producing its own light. Like other natural satellites (planets and moons) in our solar system, it can only reflect the Sun's light.

	If you were to visit the Moon, you would see the Earth shining as in this photograph. That's because the Earth reflects sunlight too.

This picture was taken from the Apollo 8 spacecraft in 1968. That mission was the first time men had orbited the Moon.

Galileo observed the Moon with the telescope he built. Here are two of his drawings.