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Scientists believe the Moon was created about 4.5 billion years ago. It is approximately 238,900 miles from Earth. The Moon was most likely formed when a celestial body the size of Mars collided with Earth and scattered debris. The Moon’s surface is solid and rocky. Craters and holes were formed by space objects hitting the surface at high speed.

The lunar atmosphere is made up of thin, weak gases. The Moon does not have breathable air or liquid water. Gravitational forces from the Moon create Earth’s ocean tides by causing sea levels to rise and fall. The Moon orbits around Earth. Because both the Earth and the moon rotate at the same speed, the same side of the Moon is always turned toward Earth, so only the near or light side of the Moon can be seen from Earth.