A moon is a natural satellite that orbits a planet. Earth has only one moon, while other planets in our solar system and beyond have many moons. You can see our Moon in daylight, but it is more visible at night, when the rest of the sky is dark. The Moon has a place in popular culture, too, and is often depicted in song, film, art, and stories. There are even foods named for the Moon!
The Moon appears to change shape throughout the month, and rises and sets at different times each day as it revolves around the Earth. Learn more about the phases of the Moon at https://www.usgs.gov/media/files/phases-moon.
The USGS Astrogeology Program, in Flagstaff, Arizona, has partnered with NASA since the 1960s, and is responsible for lunar mapping, imagery, and more. In fact, every astronaut that has ever walked on the Moon has trained with the USGS!
Have you ever gazed at the Moon and wondered how it got there, what it is like to be there, or why it looks like it does? Humans have had an interest in the Moon for as long as we have walked on this Earth. Take a picture of the Moon, or something that looks like a moon, and share it with us!
Sharing/Privacy
We'll be watching Instagram and Twitter for some great #findafeature examples and may share them here with the first name or initials of the contributor, and a general location. If you tag us with @USGS_YES you are giving us permission to use your image. Please see the USGS social media sharing policy at: https://www.usgs.gov/copyright-permission-agreement-social-media-submissions. Or, you can e-mail photos to us at usgs_yes@usgs.gov and we may share them on this page or on social media. Thanks for participating and for seeing science all around you!
