Aside from this, exploration of its surface has largely been done remotely using robotic landers, satellites or telescopes from Earth. The Moon really began to reveal its secrets during the space race and the Apollo missions in the 1960s and 1970s. Second only to the Sun in terms of size and brightness in the sky, it is a truly fantastic destination for our exploration of space. With a simple pair of binoculars or a telescope, the moon seems to come to life as whole other, alien world. Have a look and you can see mountains and craters formed by large asteroid impacts and dark, smooth patches called ‘mare’ (seas), formed by ancient volcanic activity. The Museum of the Moon provides an opportunity for the public to see and interrogate the far side of the moon in detail.Įven in an area that is busy with city lights, you can see the moon, both at night time and during the day. It provided an amazing glimps into our solar system and the workings of other moons and planets and presented a tantalizing close destination that humans could one day visit.Īs only one side of the moon is always facing the Earth, the far side was only seen for the first time by scientists in 1959. The moon was in reach and became a stepping stone to outer space. Each crater and ‘sea’ was successively named and renamed, reflecting the powers of the day. After the telescope was invented, it was mapped by early scientists. The moon has always been an object of wonder and contemplation. The round shape symbolizes family reunion. On the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, the moon is full and it is time to mark the Moon Festival, or the Mid-Autumn Festival. In Chinese tradition, the full moon is a symbol of peace, prosperity, and family reunion. When we look up at the moon at night, we might see the ‘Man in the Moon’ and wonder at space exploration, yet other cultures see very different things. Here in the West, the moon and moonlight, has romantic connotations, or we may marvel at the wonder of space exploration and that 12 humans walked on the moons surface in the late 1960’s and 70’s. Over the centuries, the moon has been interpreted as a god and a planet, as well as a timekeeper and calendar. Different cultures have their own historical, cultural and religious relationships to the moon, so depending on where the artwork is presented, its meaning and interpretation will shift. What do you think about when you gaze at the moon? Do you have religious, poetic, romantic or scientific thoughts perhaps? What cultural, historical, scientific or religious stories are associated with the moon for people in your country? Does your culture believe that the moon has a gender?įrom the beginning of human history, the moon has acted as a ‘cultural mirror’ to our beliefs, understanding and ways of seeing. As Museum of the Moon tours internationally it highlights local stories and beliefs about the moon and the wonder of space science.
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