Dark Side of the Moon
Dark Side of the Moon
Dark Side of the Moon
Dark Side of the Moon
Uncovering
the mysteries of our moon
PRESENT
The moon is more than just a pretty rock in the sky!
Not all calendars are based according to the Sun
A lunar calendar is based on the monthly cycles of the Moon phases. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Hindu calendars are all based on the Moon.
The Moon is gradually drifting away from Earth
The Moon's orbit is increasing at a rate of 3.8cm per year which is about the same rate that our fingernails grow. This is mainly the tidal bulge of Earth feeds a small amount of energy to the Moon pushing it to a higher orbit.
Life on the Moon is very different to life on Earth
A Moon day lasts 29 Earth days, but at the poles a day can last almost 6 months! The difference in temperature on the Moon ranges from 127 C to -173 C, that's a difference of almost
300 C.
Scientists found water on the Moon but not in the form you would expect...
Liquid water and water vapour cannot exist on the Moon's surface but scientists have discovered ice and believe there is hundreds of millions of tons of it. This can hopefully be mined and used on future Moon bases.
If there was no Moon life would drastically change on Earth
The Earth's tilt of around 23 degrees is locked in place by the Moon's gravity. Without the Moon it could reach as high at 85 degrees which would have disastrous consequences.
Sometimes the Moon appears red. It's not because it's blushing it's...
The Moon does not have its own light, it reflects sunlight off its surface. During a total lunar eclipse the Earth blocks the Suns light from the Moon so it glows red. This is why in the past it has been called a blood moon.