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A planet is in direct orbit around a central star, while a moon is in orbit around a large body (a planet) rather than in a direct orbit around a star. The moon orbits the planet, while the planet orbits the sun.

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13y ago
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5mo ago

A planet orbits a star, has enough mass for gravity to make it nearly spherical, and has cleared its orbit of other debris. A moon, on the other hand, orbits a planet rather than a star.

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Q: How can you tell something is a planet and not a moon?
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Related questions

What is the moon a planet or something?

The moon is a moon, also known as a natural satellite. It is not considered a planet as it orbits a planet (Earth) rather than the sun.


What is something in the solar system that orbits a planet?

A moon orbits a planet.


What makes something a moon?

Orbits a planet.


What is something moving around a planet called?

it is moon


What are the features about Mercury?

to tell you the truth mercury is basically a planet that looks like the the moon.


What is the name the 2001 remake of the 1968 movie with the same name had something to do with moon and monkeys?

Planet of the Apes Planet of the Apes


What planet is closer to the moon?

Earth is the closest planet the moon, as it is our planet's moon and orbits Earth.


Is a moon larger than a planet?

No. The moon orbits the planet which means the planet is larger than the moon.


Which planet does the moon Ariel orbit?

Ariel is a moon of the planet Uranus.


Is the moon an outer planet or inner planet?

The moon is not classified as a planet at all. It is a natural satellite of Earth.


Is Venus the only planet with no moon?

No, Mercury also has no moon. The link below will tell you about all the moons in our solar system.


Why is a moon not a planet?

A planet orbits a star such as the sun. A moon orbits a planet.