The Moon - Our closest neighbour

Credits: Keith Turnecliff, Long Itchington

The Moon's orbit around Earth has a sidereal period of 27.3 days. During each synodic period 29.5 days, the amount of visible surface illuminated by the Sun varies from none up to 100%, resulting in lunar phases that form the basis for the months of a lunar calendar. The Moon is tidally locked to Earth, which means that the length of a full rotation of the Moon on its own axis causes its same side,(the near side) to always face Earth and the somewhat longer lunar day is the same as the synodic period. That said, 59% of the total lunar surface can be seen from Earth through shifts in perspective due to libration

Facts about the Moon by Keith Turnecliff

The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. At about one-quarter the diameter of Earth, it is the largest natural satellite in the Solar System relative to the size of its planet, the fifth largest satellite in the Solar System overall and is larger than any known dwarf planet. Orbiting Earth at an average distance of 384,400 km, or about 30 times Earth's diameter, its gravitational influence slightly lengthens Earth's day and is the main driver of Earth's tides.
The Moon is classified as a planetary-mass object and a differentiated rocky body, and lacks any significant atmosphere, hydrosphere, or magnetic field. Its surface gravity is about one-sixth of Earth's; Jupiter's moon Io is the only satellite in the Solar System known to have a higher surface gravity and density.

This star chart for represents the view from Long Itchington in mid May at 10pm.
Credits: Image courtesy of Starry Night Pro Plus 8, researched and implemented by Keith Turnecliff.