Moon fun

ABOUT THE MOON

OBSERVING

EXPLORATION

LUNAR GEOLOGY

THE VITAL MOON

ART & CULTURE

MOON TRIVIA

courtesy
U. S. N. O.

The phase of the Moon right now
Phase

The Man in the Moon

Moon Trivia

The Man in the-Moon & Co.
With a little imagination it’s possible to visualise various amusing ‘faces’ and ‘creatures’ on the lunar disc. The most famous of these is the Man in the Moon, a chap familiar to human eyes since ancient times. His eyes are Mare Imbrium and Mare Serenitatis, with a gaping mouth formed by Mare Nubium. The Man-in-the-Moon always appears completely aghast, with his eyes and mouth set wide open! There are many more examples of this type, though most aren’t as readily apparent. An alternative Moon face, nicknamed Cyrano for the obvious nasomegalic reasons, is best seen at first quarter phase. He has eyes of Mare Serenitatis and Mare Crisium, Mare Nectaris makes his small mouth and his very prominent nose is formed out of Mare Fecunditatis.

After identifying Cyrano, the naked eye observer can then attempt to make out the famous leaping hare, an example of a lunar simulacrum as old as the Man in the Moon. The creature is mentioned in the myths and legends of numerous cultures around the world; one ancient Sanskrit word for the Moon can be translated as the ‘hare bearer’.

Three lunar figures

The lunar hare’s anatomy is configured thus: ears, Mare Crisium; head, Mare Fecunditatis; front paws, Mare Nectaris; thorax, Mare Tranquillitatis; haunches, Mare Serenitatis; hind legs, Mare Vaporum; small fluffy tail, Lacus Somniorum. In photographs, the crater Langrenus nicely forms the hare’s gleaming right eye, though it takes superb visual acuity to discern this spot with the naked eye alone. From the very same maria can be constructed a French poodle sitting obediently at heel. As a guide, imagine Maria Serenitatis and Vaporum as the dog’s head and muzzle, with Mare Crisium its tail; the rest of the well groomed dog should then fall neatly into place.

Hare in the Moon. Credit Robin Scagell/Galaxy

Alternative Hare in the Moon, seen
best at moonrise in the northern
hemisphere

At full Moon a giant crab extends its pincers all the way across the Moon’s disc. These fearsome looking appendages are formed out of both the eastern and western maria, attached to the main shell which is Mare Imbrium. One of the most difficult images to identify at full Moon is the ‘Kiss in the Moon’; the faces of this amorous couple, seen in profile, are located in the centre of the Moon’s disc. The mouth and eyes of the figure on the right are Sinus Medii and Mare Vaporum respectively, whilst the outline of the other’s hair may be traced from the top of Mare Imbrium all the way around the western edge of Oceanus Procellarum.

The Man in the Moon

Blue Moons

Maintained by SPA Webmaster: Last modified 5 November 2008