Last updated: October 2026 Β· 3 min read
The Moon has lit up our nights for billions of years and inspired poets, scientists and space agencies alike. But there is far more to our closest neighbour than meets the eye.
10 incredible facts about the Moon
1. It is slowly drifting away
Laser measurements using mirrors left by Apollo astronauts show that the Moon is moving away from Earth by about 3.8 cm every year, roughly the speed your fingernails grow.
2. We always see the same side
The Moon spins on its axis in exactly the same time it takes to orbit Earth, about 27.3 days. This “tidal locking” means one side always faces us. The far side is not permanently dark; it gets sunlight too.
3. You would weigh much less there
The Moon’s gravity is about one-sixth of Earth’s. A person who weighs 60 kg on Earth would feel like they weigh about 10 kg on the Moon.
4. Footprints could last millions of years
The Moon has no wind or rain, so the footprints left by astronauts could survive for millions of years, slowly worn down only by tiny meteorite impacts.
5. Only 12 people have walked on it
Between 1969 and 1972, twelve astronauts walked on the Moon during NASA’s Apollo missions, starting with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on Apollo 11.
6. India helped discover water there
India’s Chandrayaan-1 mission (2008) carried an instrument that helped detect water molecules on the lunar surface, a major discovery for future exploration.
7. India made history near the south pole
On 23 August 2023, Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander touched down near the Moon’s south pole, making India the first country to land in that region. India now celebrates 23 August as National Space Day.
8. It was probably born in a giant collision
The leading theory is that the Moon formed about 4.5 billion years ago when a Mars-sized object collided with the young Earth, throwing out debris that came together to form the Moon.
9. It controls our tides
The Moon’s gravity pulls on Earth’s oceans, creating high and low tides. The Sun also contributes, and when they line up we get extra-strong “spring tides”.
10. The Moon has quakes
Seismometers left by Apollo astronauts recorded “moonquakes”, caused by Earth’s tidal pull, temperature changes and meteorite impacts. Some lasted for many minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Moon from Earth?
On average, the Moon is about 384,400 km away from Earth.
Why does the Moon change shape?
It doesn’t. We see different amounts of its sunlit half as it orbits Earth, creating phases from new moon to full moon.
Which was India’s first Moon mission?
Chandrayaan-1, launched by ISRO in October 2008.
Keep exploring
- Our solar system: a guide to the 8 planets
- Gravity explained simply
- More Science explainers on Tiwaripedia
- Browse all incredible facts
Facts are based on widely accepted scientific, historical and official sources at the time of writing. Spotted something that needs updating? Let us know.
