What is the Difference Between Planet and Moon?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The primary difference between a planet and a moon lies in what they orbit. Planets revolve around a star, such as our Sun, while moons orbit planets. Although moons also technically orbit the Sun as they spin around their planets, they are considered moons because they have their own sub-orbit around a planet.
Some key differences between planets and moons include:
- Orbit: Planets orbit stars, while moons orbit planets.
- Light: Planets do not have their own light and shine by reflecting the light of the Sun, while stars have their own light.
- Temperature: Planets have lower temperatures compared to stars.
- Position: Planets move around the stars, and there is a noticeable shift in their position in the sky, while stars do not undergo any noticeable change in their position.
In summary, a planet is a large natural object that orbits a star, while a moon is a smaller object that orbits a planet.
Comparative Table: Planet vs Moon
The primary difference between a planet and a moon is what they orbit. Planets revolve around a star, like our Sun, while moons orbit a planet or another larger object. Here is a table comparing the differences between planets and moons:
| Feature | Planets | Moons |
|---|---|---|
| Orbital Object | Stars (e.g., Sun) | Planets or other larger objects |
| Size | Varies greatly; can be small like Mercury or massive like Jupiter | Generally smaller than planets; examples: Earth's Moon, Phobos, Deimos |
| Atmosphere | Can have thin to thick atmospheres | May have little to no atmosphere or volatile atmospheres |
| Surface Features | Varies; can have mountains, valleys, craters, etc. | Often have fewer surface features; may be smooth or have many craters |
| Number in Solar System | 8 planets | 143 known moons (as of 2000) |
Please note that these features are generalizations and can vary depending on the specific planet or moon.
- Earth vs Moon
- Sun vs Moon
- Star vs Planet
- Gravity on Earth vs Moon
- Jupiter vs Earth
- Earth vs Mars
- Lunar vs Solar Eclipse
- Saturn vs Jupiter
- Earth vs Saturn
- Lunar Eclipse vs New Moon
- Inner Planets vs Outer Planets
- Jovian vs Terrestrial Planets
- Full Moon vs New Moon
- World vs Earth
- Sun Sign vs Moon Sign
- Asteroid vs Comet
- Earth vs Uranus
- Asteroid vs Meteoroid
- Atmosphere vs Space