• The precise distance to the Moon can be measured by bouncing a powerful laser off reflectors placed on the Moon by Apollo astronauts and a Soviet robotic rover.
• The Moon moves about 1.5 inches farther from the Earth each year.
• Spins on its axis every 27.32 Earth days, so the near side is always facing the Earth.
• A day on the Moon equals a month on Earth.
• The Moon’s gravity helps keep the Earth’s ecliptic small (compared to that of Mars, for example), which means fewer temperature variations and a more temperate climate on Earth.
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