US - Science - Astronomy

The moon is an Earthly satellite, “not” a planet. Moons, also referred to as “planetary satellites,” are naturally celestial bodies that orbit planets. The most well-known “planetary satellite” is Earth’s Moon, named just ‘Moon’ because it was known firstly before we knew about other planetary satellites.

For Mars, the phrase “Red Planet” is frequently employed because the rusting of the iron minerals in the “Martian mud” gives the surface a red appearance. Mars was named so by the Romans for their “god of war” because its reddish color was reminiscent of blood. The Greeks designated it “Ares.”