How many moons does Earth have?

Earth has one moon, commonly referred to as "the Moon." This natural satellite is unique in that it is the only large moon in relation to the size of its planet in the inner solar system. The Moon plays a significant role in influencing Earth's tides and provides valuable insights into the history of our planet through various geological processes and impacts.

The Moon's formation is widely believed to have occurred after a Mars-sized body, often called Theia, collided with the early Earth about 4.5 billion years ago. This led to debris orbiting Earth, which eventually coalesced to form the Moon. Its relatively sizeable presence compared to Earth’s diameter (about 1/4 the size of our planet) contributes to its significant gravitational influence, which affects ocean tides and stabilizes the tilt of Earth's axis, playing a key role in our climate and seasonal changes.

Recognizing that Earth has only one moon helps distinguish it from other planets in our solar system, many of which have multiple moons or none at all. For instance, Mars has two small moons, while gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn have dozens. Understanding the number of moons in relation to their planets is essential for grasping the dynamics of planetary systems.