As a self-proclaimed astronomy nerd, I have every reason to love the moon.
The way it shines through my bedroom window in bright slats comforts me in a way that the sun could not hold a fiery candle to (even if the candle was lit by its own rays). If I go to bed early enough, the moon lights my face and provides me with the most natural, silvery night light (emphasis on the night.)
Today (or rather tonight) we have a full moon. And actually, we will have a blood moon visible early tomorrow. Of course, this isn’t the “technical” term, but a blood moon happens when sunlight scatters through the atmosphere and casts an eerie red glow on the moon’s craters (or cheesy flesh?)
What’s more is we will even have a lunar eclipse at the same time. Think double rainbow, but bigger and better. And also with the moon. What more could you ask for from the night sky?
Still not convinced that the moon is totally awesome? Here are some five fun facts about our little celestial buddy:
1. There is no dark side of the moon.
-Granted, we only see one side of the moon from Earth, but both sides receive the same amount of sunlight. Sorry, Pink Floyd, the album is still great although it is based on a lie.
2. The moon is drifting away from the Earth little by little.
-Every year, the moon moves 3.8 cm away from the Earth and will continue to do so for about 50 billion years. Hey moon, is it something we said? Maybe we smell…Or maybe it can’t stand the heat…
3. The moon has quakes.
-No, the moon isn’t nervous for any job interviews or anything. It just has Ear–er–quakes. Unfortunately, this is caused by us and our gravitational pull. Scientists believe that the moon has a molten core, like us, too.
4. The moon has mountains.
-Mons Huygens is the tallest mountain on the moon. But before you get your climbing gear (and your space suit), you should know that the moon’s tallest mountain is only half the size of Mt. Everest. And plus, I think you’d get some horrible equivalent of altitude sickness if you tried (or would you because there is no air? BaileyDailey is asking the real questions tonight…)
5. The moon is not a planet.
-First, Pluto and now this! When will the planet torturing stop! Alas, the moon, by the scientists’ definition of a celestial body, is not one. It is only a natural satellite. Don’t worry moon, we still love you! (Maybe that’s the reason it is slowly pulling away from us…)
And that’s it! I hope I have helped you to see the “light,” and you now love the moon as much as I do! If not, at least check out the blood moon. It should be pretty cool.
Bailey Dailey 