Natural Satellite

A natural satellite, or moon, is a celestial body that orbits a planet or a minor planet.

Formation

Natural satellites can form in several ways, including:

• Co-formation with the planet
• Capture by the planet's gravity
• Impact from another celestial body

Characteristics

Natural satellites exhibit the following characteristics:

• Orbit: They orbit around their parent planet in regular paths.
• Size: They vary in size from small to large bodies.
• Gravity: They have their own gravitational force.
• Rotation: Some moons are tidally locked to their parent planet, meaning they always show the same face to the planet.

Examples

Some examples of natural satellites in our solar system include:

• The Moon (Earth's natural satellite)
• Phobos and Deimos (Mars' natural satellites)
• Ganymede, Europa, and Io (Jupiter's natural satellites)

Study Guide

To study natural satellites, consider the following key points:

1. Understand the formation processes of natural satellites.
2. Learn about the characteristics of natural satellites, including their orbits, sizes, and rotations.
3. Study specific examples of natural satellites in our solar system and their unique features.
4. Explore the gravitational interactions between natural satellites and their parent planets.
5. Consider the significance of natural satellites in the context of planetary exploration and potential for habitability.