Is the moon considered a planet?

Question

The solar system consists of the Sun and eight other planets. The moon is a natural satellite of the Earth, but is it also a planet so to speak? If the moon is a planet, then shouldn't the Solar System be consisting of the Sun, the moon and eight other planets?

Answer 1

The 2006 definition of "planet" by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) states that, in the solar system, a planet is a celestial body that:

- is in orbit around the Sun,
- has sufficient mass so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and
- has "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit.

So, no, our moon is not a planet, nor are any of the moons of the other planets, and this is the new definition that excluded Pluto from being considered a planet any longer.

Answer 2

hi

the moon cannot and is not considered a planet because

A. it is too small

B. as you said, it is just a SATTELITE

C.and no satellite has ever bee considered a planet before

D. even Ganymede (Jupiter's largest moon, same size as earth) is not considered as a planet.

E. and do remember that pluto is not considered a planet anymore even if it displays more planet-like characteristics.

So, if the moon was to be considered as a planet, the whole concept of the solar system can really change.

Hope This Helps.

Answer 3

A moon is dependent on a Planet. It is a Celestial Body. But its rotation and travel is in a direct connection to the host planet. There are many moons that we don't know about yet that may support life, but the fact that they depend on a planet remains.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_satellite
That explains it better than I can.
☺
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A natural satellite is an object that orbits a planet or other body larger than itself and which is not man-made. Such objects are often called moons. Technically, the term could also refer to a planet orbiting a star, or even to a star orbiting a galactic center, but these uses are rare. Instead, the term is normally used to identify non-artificial satellites of planets, dwarf planets, or minor planets.

Answer 4

Moon is a definition, just like planet is. Planets are objects that orbit the sun and moons are objects that orbit planets. Earth is not the only planet with a moon either.

Answer 5

If you consider moon as a planet, it should not revolve round another planet.

Whereas our Moon revolves round our Earth which is a planet.

Hence moon is a satellite of earth and is not a planet.

Even Pluto once considered as planet is removed from the list of planet.

Scintists have certain definitions about planet.

Moon does not satisfy those defenitions.

Answer 6

The Moon orbits Earth, that is why it is called a moon. If it orbited the Sun, then it could be considered a planet.

Answer 7

No, a planet is defined as a celestial body that:

a) primarily orbits the sun

b) is large enough to sustain a spherical (or very near to) shape

c) dominates it's path of solar orbit (aka has "cleared the neighbourhood")

The Moon violates requirement a) and c) as it orbits the Earth primarily and does not dominate it's solar orbit.

Answer 8

most of the planets in our solar system have moons/satellite's! they are not planets because the do not have an atmosphere of which to say, that is why there is the debate about Pluto.

Answer 9

The moon is a moon, hence why we don't include it in the list of planets.

Also: you should also know that there are 240 moons in our solar system, so by your logic would there be 248 'planets' in our solar system?

Answer 10

Technically, you can call a moon a "satellite" of a planet, but not a planet itself. The moons tend to orbit planets, they're usually not independent of one.