Known since prehistoric times, it is the brightest object in the sky after the sun Its name in english, like that of earth, is of germanic and old english derivation. The earth and moon are tidally locked Their rotations are so in sync we only see one side of the moon Humans didn't see the lunar far side until a soviet spacecraft flew past in 1959 The moon has a solid, rocky surface cratered and pitted from impacts by asteroids, meteorites, and comets.
See what moon phase it is tonight and find out when you can see the rest of the moon phases for 2025. What is the moon made of, and how did it form Learn about the moon's violent origins, how its phases shaped the earliest calendars, and how humans first explored earth's only natural satellite half a century ago. Explore the current phase of the moon, its rise and set times, nightly motion across the sky, and discover lunar features with our interactive map Stay informed about the celestial movements above. The other side of the moon is dark
