The Moon has always been a source of wonder and mystery for humans. Its pale glow in the night sky has inspired poets, astronomers, and dreamers alike. But despite how familiar it seems, the Moon is full of strange facts and oddities that will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about our closest celestial neighbor. Here are 10 weird facts about the Moon that are so bizarre, you won’t believe they’re true.
1. The Moon Is Slowly Moving Away From Earth
We’ve all heard that the Moon is important to life on Earth, but did you know that the Moon is actually moving away from us? Every year, the Moon drifts approximately 3.8 centimeters (1.5 inches) farther away from the Earth. This might not sound like much, but over billions of years, it could have a huge impact on Earth’s tides, our planet’s rotation, and even life itself.
This gradual shift is caused by tidal friction, which occurs when the gravitational pull of the Earth affects the Moon’s orbit. While the change is slow and nearly imperceptible, it’s a reminder of how dynamic the Earth-Moon system really is.
2. The Moon Has Moonquakes
Just like earthquakes on Earth, the Moon experiences quakes, but they’re called “moonquakes.” These seismic events were first discovered during the Apollo missions, when seismometers were placed on the lunar surface. Moonquakes can be caused by tidal forces (the same ones that are slowly moving the Moon away from Earth), and they can be quite powerful—some can even last for up to 30 minutes.
What makes moonquakes strange is that they happen far more rarely than earthquakes, and scientists are still trying to fully understand how the Moon’s interior works. These mysterious shakes offer valuable insight into the structure of the Moon, which is still not fully understood.
3. The Moon Smells Like Gunpowder
If you could somehow stand on the Moon and take a whiff of the lunar surface (without, you know, suffocating), you might be surprised by what you’d smell. According to astronauts who have walked on the Moon, the lunar dust smells strangely similar to gunpowder. The dust, which is made up of tiny, sharp-edged particles of rock and metal, clings to everything, and its unique odor comes from the chemicals released when it interacts with air.
This bizarre smell is one of many strange lunar characteristics that make the Moon an unexpectedly unpleasant place for human exploration.
4. The Moon Is the Fifth Largest Satellite in the Solar System
It might seem like the Moon is a huge object because it appears so large in our night sky, but in comparison to other moons in our solar system, it’s actually only the fifth largest! Some moons, like Ganymede (a moon of Jupiter) and Titan (a moon of Saturn), are far larger than our Moon.
However, despite its relatively small size, the Moon has a unique relationship with Earth that no other moon shares. Its size relative to Earth is unusually large, and that’s part of why it has such a big effect on our planet’s tides, rotation, and even the stability of Earth’s climate.
5. The Moon Has Water… And It’s Ice Cold
For a long time, scientists thought that the Moon was completely dry. But recent discoveries have shown that water ice exists on the Moon—particularly in the permanently shadowed craters near the poles, where sunlight never reaches. These areas are incredibly cold, with temperatures plunging to around -250°F (-157°C), which is far colder than the surface of the Moon in general.
This discovery of water ice on the Moon is significant for future space exploration because it could be used as a resource for astronauts who may one day live on the Moon. It could also help scientists understand the Moon’s history and its potential for supporting life.
6. The Moon’s Surface Is Covered in Tiny Glass Beads
When meteorites strike the Moon’s surface, they don’t just create craters—they also vaporize some of the lunar rock, which then cools and solidifies into tiny glass beads. These beads, known as “impact glass,” are scattered across the lunar surface. They’re so small that they’re almost invisible to the naked eye, but they’ve been found in samples collected by the Apollo missions.
What’s strange is that these glass beads are not only tiny, but they also contain a unique chemical composition that’s unlike anything found on Earth. Some scientists are studying these beads to learn more about the impact events that shaped the Moon’s surface and to explore how extraterrestrial conditions can produce such unusual substances.
7. The Moon’s Gravity Makes Us Taller
You might be surprised to learn that the Moon’s gravity actually affects our height—at least temporarily. During the full Moon, the gravitational forces of both the Earth and the Moon work together to create slightly higher tides. But it also causes a subtle “stretching” effect on our bodies, making us very slightly taller.
This effect is incredibly small, and you wouldn’t notice any difference in your height on a daily basis, but it’s a fascinating example of how the Moon’s gravity can impact the human body in ways we don’t usually think about.
8. The Moon Has a “Far Side” That We Can’t See From Earth
For centuries, people believed that the Moon always showed the same face to Earth, and for good reason: the Moon’s rotation and orbit are synchronized in such a way that we only see one hemisphere. This side of the Moon, often called the “near side,” has been studied extensively. But the opposite side, often referred to as the “far side” or “dark side” (though it’s not actually dark), remained a mystery until 1959 when the Soviet spacecraft Luna 3 captured the first images of it.
What makes the far side so strange is that it looks drastically different from the near side, with far more craters and less of the large, smooth “maria” (lunar seas). Despite our advances in space exploration, the far side of the Moon still holds many secrets, and it’s been a target for future missions.
9. The Moon Is Slowly Wobbling
Over time, the Moon’s orbit isn’t exactly stationary—it’s slowly wobbling. This phenomenon, known as “lunar libration,” is the result of gravitational interactions between the Moon and Earth. The Moon’s orbit is slightly tilted, which means we can actually see a little more than half of the Moon’s surface over time.
This wobble is very gradual, but it’s an interesting way the Moon’s motion shifts. It’s also why, occasionally, we get to see parts of the Moon that are normally hidden from view.
10. The Moon Used to Be Much Closer to Earth
When the Moon first formed, it was much closer to Earth—about 14,000 miles closer. In fact, it’s thought that the Moon was once so close that it would have appeared enormous in the sky. Over billions of years, tidal forces have caused the Moon to slowly drift away from Earth, at a rate of about 3.8 centimeters per year.
If the Moon were still as close to Earth as it was in its early days, our planet would have much stronger tides, and the night sky would look incredibly different, with a Moon that would appear almost 10 times larger than it does today.
Conclusion: The Moon’s Weirdness Never Ends
From its strange gravity effects on our bodies to its far side that remains full of mysteries, the Moon is a bizarre and captivating celestial object. These weird facts show us that, despite our centuries of exploration, the Moon still holds countless secrets. As we continue to explore its surface and unravel its mysteries, who knows what other strange discoveries we’ll make? One thing’s for sure: the Moon will always be full of surprises.
