The Moon

Though the Moon completes an orbit of Earth in 27.3 days, it takes 29.5 to complete a cycle of phases due to our planet's motion around the Sun. Image Credit: iStock

How to observe the Moon

The discovery may have implications for future manned missions to the Moon, given that a water supply would be an invaluable resource. However, most of the water ice is found in the shadows of craters, where temperatures never reach above -156°C. The Moon is tidally locked with Earth, meaning the same side always faces our planet, and given the Moon’s small tilt about its rotational axis, sunlight never reaches these cold regions. The M3 instrument was launched in 2008 aboard the Chandrayaan-1 lunar orbiter by the Indian Space Research Organisation. The orbiter operated until August 2009. M3 was able to detect the reflective properties of the water ice and confirm its presence by measuring how the ice molecules absorb infrared light.

Water ice found on the Moon

The Moon may always keep the same face turned to us, but the terminator makes sure that face keeps changing. Image Credit: iStock

Why does the Moon’s appearance change?

Capturing the Moon with a digital camera is easier than you might think. Credit: Ade Ashford

How to photograph the Moon with a digital camera

A diagram accompanying the study, showing how the Earth-Moon-Sun system causes strong currents in the outer core, which could be generating Earth’s magnetic field. Credit: Julien Monteux and Denis Andrault

Is the Moon maintaining Earth’s magnetism?

Use your best artistic skills to recreate the sight of the Moon's Earth-facing side. All images by Katharine Kilgour

Astrobaking: Moon Cake recipe

Lunar astrophotography

Ian's finished image is far more colourful than the Moon appears through an eyepiece. Credit: Ian Evenden

Astrophoto guides

Image processing Colour saturating the Moon in astrophotos

Shadows are key to lunar study; as they move, grow and fade, new aspects of familiar surface features come to the fore. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Astrophoto guides

Imaging for science How to photograph the Moon

The final image, which won the Our Moon category of the IIAPY 2015 competition. Credit: András Papp

Astrophoto guides

Image processing Create a mosaic of the Moon

Left: Mary's starting image of the Moon, taken with a Canon EOS 1100D DSLR through an 8-inch Ritchey-Chrétien with focal-reducer. Right: Mary's final edited shot, showing much greater distinction between the lunar highlands and maria. Credit: Mary McIntyre.

Astrophoto guides

Remove noise from your astrophotos of the Moon

Zdenek Bardon,
Sumava mountain, Czech Republic. Equipment: Nikon D810A, Takahashi FSQ106/530, tripod.

Astrophotography

In pictures: total lunar eclipse, 27 July 2018

The Moon’s craters and seas are better defined by the end of our processing. Credit: Ian Evenden

Astrophoto guides

Image processing An astrophotography guide to Photoshop Levels and Curves

The science of the Moon

A comparison of the size of the UK and Ireland with the surface of the Moon. Credit: Pete Lawrence

How do the Moon’s features compare with Earth?

Hadley Rille, as imaged by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Arizona State University

Observing guide Explore the hidden valleys of the Moon

Patrick Moore pictured at his house in Selsey with a globe of the Moon. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

How Patrick Moore mapped the Moon

The Moon’s limb, imaged by the Apollo 10 astronauts in 1969. The largest crater in the picture, upper right, is called Keeler. From features like its terraced walls, scientists have deduced a violent history of meteorite impacts. Credit: NASA/ISC

What is the Moon made of and how did it form?

A solar prominence captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. Credit: Solar Dynamics Observatory, NASA

Apollo Moon rocks could reveal the history of our Sun

Samples collected from rocky areas of the Apollo 11 landing site like this laid the basis for much of what we know about the Moon. Credit: NASA

What have the Apollo 11 lunar samples taught us about the Moon?

The discovery may have implications for future manned missions to the Moon, given that a water supply would be an invaluable resource. However, most of the water ice is found in the shadows of craters, where temperatures never reach above -156°C. The Moon is tidally locked with Earth, meaning the same side always faces our planet, and given the Moon’s small tilt about its rotational axis, sunlight never reaches these cold regions. The M3 instrument was launched in 2008 aboard the Chandrayaan-1 lunar orbiter by the Indian Space Research Organisation. The orbiter operated until August 2009. M3 was able to detect the reflective properties of the water ice and confirm its presence by measuring how the ice molecules absorb infrared light.

Water ice found on the Moon

The Moon’s limb, imaged by the Apollo 10 astronauts in 1969. The largest crater in the picture, upper right, is called Keeler. From features like its terraced walls, scientists have deduced a violent history of meteorite impacts. Credit: NASA/ISC

What is the Moon made of and how did it form?

Observing the Moon

There’s no better way to familiarise yourself with the Moon than by drawing it. Credit: Deirdre Kelleghan.

How to draw the Moon

The surface of the Moon appears made up of different colours. NASA/JPL

What colour is the Moon?

A view of the Apollo 11 landing sites in Mare Tranquillitatis. Credit: Pete Lawrence

How to find Apollo 11’s landing site on the Moon

Also known as the Da Vinci Glow, earthshine allows us to see features on the Moon’s dark side. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observing guide Earthshine: what it is and how to see it

The Moon’s craters and seas are better defined by the end of our processing. Credit: Ian Evenden

The beauty of observing the Moon

A perigee full Moon (left) appears 30% brighter and 14% larger than an apogee full Moon (right). Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observe the perigee full Moon on 8 February 2020