Moons
Moons, or "natural satellites", are astronomical objects which orbit a "primary", which can be a planet or other smaller body.
The Moon (Earth)
- Earths only natural satellite.
- Quarter of the diameter of the Earth.
- Fifth largest satelilite in the Solar System.
- Second densest moon in the Solar System, after Jupiters Io.
- The Moon is in synchronous rotation with the Earth, which means that it is always showing the same face towards the Earth.
- The Moons gravitational pull produces the Earths tides.
- The Moon currently orbits at a distance of 30 Earth diameters away from the Earth.
Titan (Saturn)
- Saturns largest moon.
- The Solar Systems only natural satellite to have a dense atmosphere.
- Apart from Earth, Titan is the only other object to have stable body of surface liquid.
- Second largest moon in the Solar System.
- Larger by volume than Mercury but only half as massive.
- Primarily composed of water ice and rock.
- Atmosphere mostly composed of nitrogen.
- Titans wind and rain create a similar surface of dunes, valleys and seas.
- Titan could possibly be the host of prebiotic organic chemistry or even microbial life.
Io (Jupiter)
- Densest moon in the Solar System.
- Innermost of Jupiters moons.
- Named after one of the lovers of Zeus.
- Volcanically active.
Europa (Jupiter)**
- Slightly smaller than Earths Moon.
- Atmosphere primarily composed of oxygen.
- Surface covered with ice.
- Discovered in 1610 by Gallileo.
Ganymede (Jupiter)
- Largest and has most mass satellite in the Solar System.
- Larger than the planet Mercury.
- Composed of rock and ice.
- There may be a saltwater ocean beneath the ice.