The
Moon is the only satellite which accompanies the
Earth in its path around the Sun. The Moon's diameter
is 27% of the Earth's diameter and it's mass is
0.01% of the Earth's. It is 384,000km away from
us here on Earth. The Moon takes 27.32 days to
orbit the Earth (as seen by us against the background
of stars). The orbital plane of the Moon lies within
5˚ of the apparent orbit of the Sun (as seen from
Earth).
We only see the Moon from here on Earth by the light
which is reflecting upon it from the Sun and this
is how we see the phases.
The diagram below shows the Moons movement around
the Earth and the reflection of the Sun onto the Moon
which allows us to to see the Moon.
Please note proportions of Sun Moon and Earth are not
correct
