Which of the following planets has no moons?

In our Solar System, most planets have one or more natural satellites, commonly known as moons. For example, Earth has one moon, Mars has two small moons (Phobos and Deimos), and Jupiter has more than 90 moons. However, Venus and Mercury are the only two planets that do not have any moons.

The correct answer to this question is Venus. Despite being similar in size and structure to Earth, Venus does not have a natural satellite. Astronomers believe there are several reasons why Venus has no moons:

1. 
   

   Proximity to the Sun: Venus is the second planet from the Sun, and the Sun’s strong gravitational pull may have prevented it from capturing or holding onto a moon.

   
   


2. 
   

   Possible Past Collisions: Some theories suggest that Venus may have had a moon in the past, but it could have been lost due to a massive collision or gravitational interactions.

   
   


3. 
   

   Slow Rotation: Venus rotates extremely slowly and in the opposite direction compared to most planets (retrograde rotation). This unusual spin may have made it harder for a moon to remain in orbit.

   
   

Comparisons with other planets help us understand the uniqueness of Venus:

• 
  

  Mars (Option A) has two small moons: Phobos and Deimos.

  
  


• 
  

  Neptune (Option B) has 14 known moons, with Triton being the largest.

  
  


• 
  

  Venus (Option C) has none, making it the correct answer.

  
  

The absence of moons around Venus is scientifically important because moons often play a role in stabilizing a planet’s tilt and influencing its climate. For example, Earth’s moon helps stabilize Earth’s axial tilt, contributing to relatively stable seasons. Without moons, Venus may have had a more unstable history in terms of rotation and tilt.

In conclusion, Venus is one of only two planets in our Solar System without moons, alongside Mercury. This makes it unique and an important subject of study in planetary science.