Together with the Moon, Venus and Mars are the planets nearest to the Earth. All of these celestial bodies are continuously held captive to the sun by the effect of gravity; the bodies are continually forced to orbit the sun as the central body in elliptical orbits.

The Nearest Celestial Body to Earth
The correct answer to the question of which celestial body is nearest to Earth is the Moon. Here’s a detailed explanation:
Understanding Distances in Space
- The Moon is the closest celestial body to Earth, with an average distance of about 384,400 kilometers (238,855 miles).
- This proximity makes it much closer than any other celestial body, including planets and stars.
Comparison with Other Options
- Venus: While Venus is often referred to as Earth's "sister planet," its distance from Earth varies, averaging about 41 million kilometers (25 million miles) at its closest approach.
- The Sun: The Sun is approximately 150 million kilometers (93 million miles) away from Earth. It is the center of our solar system, but certainly not the closest object to Earth.
- Proxima Centauri: This is the closest known star to the Sun, located about 4.24 light-years away, which is vastly greater than the distance to the Moon.
Conclusion
The Moon's position in relation to Earth is unique; it is not only the nearest celestial body but also the only one humans have set foot on. Its gravitational influence affects tides on Earth and plays a significant role in various natural phenomena.
In summary, the Moon, with its average distance of 384,400 kilometers, is indeed the nearest celestial body to Earth, making option 'D' the correct answer.