10 facts you should know about moons

Proving to be both varied and fascinating, moons are far more common than planets in our Solar System. Our own moon has had a profound influence on Earth, not only through tidal effects, but even on the behaviour of some marine animals. But how much do we really know about moons? Watch David Rothery, author of Moons: A Very Short Introduction tell us what he thinks are the top ten things we should know about moons. Do you have a fact about moons you think should be added to the list? Let us know in the comments below!

1. Our moon is the only moon that doesn’t have its own name.
2. It’s not just the moon that causes tides in the Earth’s oceans.
3. Pieces of the moon sometimes fall to earth.
4. Contrary to belief, there is no dark side of the moon.
5. It was the discovery of the moons of Jupiter that first demonstrated that not all motion in the universe goes around the Earth.
6. It’s not just planets that can have moons.
7. Most moons orbit in the same direction that their planet is spinning.
8. Jupiter’s moon Io is the most volcanically active body in the solar system.
9. Some moons are so cold; the ice on the surface behaves just like rock.
10. Moons such as Jupiter’s Europa are some of the more likely places where alien life could be found.

Featured image credit: ‘Full Moon’, by Mhy. Public domain via Pixabay.