Formation: The most widely accepted theory suggests that the Moon formed about 4.5 billion years ago when a Mars-sized object called Theia collided with the early Earth, resulting in debris that eventually came together to form the Moon.

Size and Distance: The Moon has a diameter of about 3,474 kilometers (2,159 miles), which is roughly one-fourth the size of Earth. It is located at an average distance of about 384,400 kilometers (238,900 miles) from our planet.

Surface Features: The Moon's surface is covered in craters, mountains, valleys, and large flat areas known as maria, which were formed by ancient volcanic activity. The Moon lacks an atmosphere and protective magnetic field, causing its surface to be exposed to the harsh conditions of space.