<p>There is no authorative standard - you can use what you want, as long as it is clear what you mean. Besides that: yes, ☽ is reasonably standard. Often also written indices like <span class="math-container">$M_{moon}$</span> or <span class="math-container">$M_m$</span> are used.</p>

<p>Also see <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomical_symbols" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Wikipedia</a> with its many references.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-10T14:53:40.960Z
2020-05-10T14:53:40.960Z
planetmaker
<p>When doing calculations the mass and radius of the Earth can be represented by <span class="math-container">$M_{\oplus}$</span> and <span class="math-container">$R_{\oplus}$</span> respectively.</p>

<p>The planets all have their own symbols which can easily be found online.</p>

<p>But what about the Moon ?</p>

<p>Usually something like <span class="math-container">$M_☽$</span> is given but is that standard ? Are there other versions of expressing the moon ?</p>

<the-moon><notation>
What symbol is used for the moon when doing calculations?
Kantura
# What symbol is used for the moon when doing calculations?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-05-10)

When doing calculations the mass and radius of the Earth can be represented by $M\_{\oplus}$ and $R\_{\oplus}$ respectively.

The planets all have their own symbols which can easily be found online.

But what about the Moon ?

Usually something like $M\_☽$ is given but is that standard ? Are there other versions of expressing the moon ?

**Tags:** the-moon, notation

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-05-10. Score: 3

There is no authorative standard - you can use what you want, as long as it is clear what you mean. Besides that: yes, ☽ is reasonably standard. Often also written indices like $M\_{moon}$ or $M\_m$ are used.

Also see [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomical_symbols) with its many references.


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