Moon Earth’s sole natural satellite and nearest large celestial body.
It is the brightest object in the sky after the Sun.
Its name in English, like that of Earth, is of Germanic and Old English derivation.
In past civilizations the Moon was regarded as a deity, its dominion dramatically manifested in its rhythmic control over the tides and the cycle of female fertility.
Called the barycentre this point lies inside Earth about 4,700 km (2,900 miles) from its centre .
Earth in a revolution—ranged between about 404,000 and 406,700 km {251,000 and 252,700 miles}, while its perigee—the closest that it comes to Earth—ranged between about 356,500 and 370,400 km {221,500 and 230,200 miles}.