The Moon is the closest celestial object to Earth, completing one orbit around our planet approximately every 29.5 days as it rotates once on its axis. We see only one side of the Moon from Earth due to its rotation pattern. The phases of the Moon, from new to full, depend on where it is positioned relative to the Sun and Earth, and it is always half illuminated by sunlight. Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow, while solar eclipses happen when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, able to temporarily block the Sun's light from certain locations.