- By Aditi Priya Singh
- Sun, 07 Sep 2025 04:52 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Interesting Facts About the Moon: The Earth's only natural satellite, the Moon, has fascinated people since ancient times. For thousands of years, it has been a part of myths, legends and cultural beliefs. It also controls ocean tides and illuminates our night sky. According to scientists, a massive collision between Earth and another celestial body created the Moon billions of years ago. Because it stabilises Earth's rotation and affects weather patterns, it has been instrumental in forming life on our planet over time.
People have always looked at the Moon with curiosity, from ancient astronomers who studied its phases to modern-day space missions that revealed its surface secrets. Despite many studies, there are still countless mysteries about the Moon’s origin, hidden side, and unexplored regions.
160+ Interesting Facts About the Moon
In this article, we bring you over 40 interesting facts about the Moon, divided into different categories like its history, origin, scientific discoveries, and surprising mysteries that continue to fascinate astronomers and skywatchers even today.
History and Origin of the Moon
1. The Moon is about 4.5 billion years old.
2. Scientists believe it was formed after a giant collision with Earth.
3. The Moon was once much closer to Earth than it is today.
4. Ancient civilisations used the Moon to track time and create calendars.
5. The term “lunatic” comes from old beliefs that the Moon affects human behaviour.
6. The Moon’s surface was first mapped by Galileo Galilei in 1609.
7. Lunar eclipses have been recorded in history for thousands of years.
8. The first successful Moon landing was Apollo 11 in 1969.
Physical Features of the Moon
9. The Moon is about 3,474 km in diameter—one-fourth of Earth’s size.
10. It has mountains, valleys, and huge craters caused by asteroid impacts.
11. The Moon has no atmosphere, so the sky always looks black.
12. Days on the Moon are about 29.5 Earth days long.
13. The Moon’s gravity is one-sixth that of Earth.
14. There is frozen water in the Moon’s polar regions.
15. Moonquakes occur due to tidal forces and thermal expansion.
16. The far side of the Moon is often called the “dark side,” though it gets sunlight too.
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Mysteries and Surprising Facts about the Moon
17. Scientists are still unsure if the Moon has a small molten core.
18. Some ancient cultures believed the Moon was a goddess.
19. Strange flashes of light called “transient lunar phenomena” have been reported.
20. There are unexplained magnetic anomalies on the Moon’s surface.
21. The Moon is slowly moving away from Earth—about 3.8 cm every year.
22. Some believe the Moon affects human sleep cycles.
23. No sound can travel on the Moon due to the lack of air.
24. Many UFO sightings are reported near the Moon’s surface.
Space Exploration on the Moon
25. The Soviet Luna 2 was the first spacecraft to reach the Moon in 1959.
26. Twelve astronauts have walked on the Moon so far.
26. Neil Armstrong was the first man to step on the Moon in 1969.
27. Apollo 17 in 1972 was the last crewed mission to the Moon.
28. China’s Chang’e 4 landed on the far side of the Moon in 2019.
29. NASA plans to return humans to the Moon under the Artemis program.
30. Moon rocks brought to Earth weigh over 380 kilograms.
31. Robotic missions are mapping hidden craters and possible water sources.
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Cultural and Fun Facts about the Moon
31. The Moon has inspired countless poems, songs, and artworks.
32. Some people believe full moons cause mood changes.
33. Harvest Moon refers to the full moon closest to the autumn equinox.
34. The Moon is a key symbol in many flags and emblems.
35. The Mid-Autumn Festival in China celebrates the Moon.
36. Blue Moon means a second full moon in a single month.
37. Wolves howling at the Moon is mostly a myth.
38. The Moon does not emit its own light—it reflects the Sun’s rays.
39. Moonlight is actually just reflected sunlight.
40. Total solar eclipses are only possible because the Moon is the perfect size to cover the Sun.
