What Is the Dark Side of the Moon?
Explore the mysteries of the dark side of the Moon’s. Discover why it’s called the “dark side”, what we’ve learned from lunar missions, and why it still fascinates scientists today!
For centuries, humanity has gazed up at the Moon, captivated by its pale glow and ever-changing face. But no matter how many full moons we’ve watched rise over the horizon, we’ve always seen the same side. Naturally, this has fuelled both fascination and speculation about the so-called “dark side of the Moon.”
But what is the dark side, really? Is it shrouded in shadow? A place of mystery and secrets? Or is it simply a misunderstood astronomical term?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the far side of the Moon, including its geography, history, and how modern space exploration is finally helping us unveil its hidden face.
What Is the Dark Side of the Moon?
Despite the poetic name, the “dark side of the Moon” is a bit of a misnomer, as it doesn’t actually refer to a side that’s perpetually cloaked in eternal darkness. The idea of a “dark” side gained popularity in the 20th century, especially with the help of some important pop culture moments (thanks, Pink Floyd!). But aside from inspiring the name of an incredible prog rock record, the term “dark side” is actually pretty irrelevant – the far side sees just as much sunlight as the side we see – we just don’t have a natural vantage point to observe it from Earth.
So why do we never see the far side?
Well, that’s due to a phenomenon known as tidal locking. The Moon takes the same amount of time to rotate on its axis as it does to orbit Earth (about 27.3 days). As a result, one hemisphere – the near side – always faces us, while the far side remains turned away.
First Glimpses: Mapping the Far Side of the Moon
Until relatively recently, no one knew what the far side of the Moon looked like. That changed in 1959, when the Soviet spacecraft Luna 3 became the first to photograph the Moon’s far side. The grainy images it beamed back revealed a landscape that was surprisingly different from the near side.
Unlike the familiar near side, which is dotted with dark patches known as maria (ancient volcanic plains), the far side is far more rugged and covered in craters. The lack of maria puzzled scientists and hinted that the Moon’s crust might be thicker on the far side, preventing magma from breaking through in the same way.
Since Luna 3, many more missions, both crewed and uncrewed, have mapped and studied the far side in increasing detail. Today, we have high-resolution images and topographic maps that show the far side’s complex terrain in all its glory.
Key Features of the Dark Side of the Moon
Credit: Apollo 16 Crew, NASA
Credit: Apollo 16 Crew, NASADespite its remoteness, the far side of the Moon is a pretty fascinating place with plenty of unique features:
South Pole-Aitken Basin
One of the largest and oldest impact craters in the Solar System, this enormous basin stretches about 2,500 km in diameter and reaches depths of over 8 km. It’s a top target for lunar research, as it could hold clues to the Moon’s early history.
Tsiolkovskiy Crater
Named after Russian rocket scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, this dramatic crater is one of the few far-side regions with visible lava flows, making it a standout on an otherwise heavily cratered landscape.
Farside Highlands
The far side is dominated by mountainous highlands. These regions are thought to be more ancient than the volcanic maria on the near side, preserving a record of early lunar history.
No Radio Noise
Because it’s permanently shielded from Earth’s radio transmissions, the far side is an ideal location for deep space radio telescopes. Future missions may install observatories here to study the early universe without interference.
Why Is the Dark Side of the Moon So Different?
Scientists believe the differences between the two hemispheres may be due to variations in crust thickness, cooling rates, and impacts during the Moon’s early formation.
One leading theory is that early in its history, the Moon may have had two distinct crusts, perhaps influenced by a smaller companion moon that later merged with it. This could explain why the far side’s crust is much thicker, with fewer volcanic plains.
Whatever the cause, the asymmetry has made the far side a scientific hotspot for understanding lunar evolution and planetary formation.
Lunar Exploration of the Dark Side of the Moon
So far, only one mission has successfully landed on the Moon’s far side: China’s Chang’e 4, which touched down in the Von Kármán Crater in 2019. Because the far side can’t communicate directly with Earth, the mission relied on a relay satellite positioned in lunar orbit.
Chang’e 4 carried a rover named Yutu-2, which continues to explore the region, studying soil composition, geological features, and even planting the first biological experiment on the Moon (germinating cotton seeds, in case you were wondering, though they didn’t last long!).
This marked a major milestone: the first soft landing on the far side of the Moon, and a sign of things to come.
What’s Next for the Far Side?
Future missions to the far side are already in the works. NASA’s Artemis program and international space agencies are eyeing the lunar south pole, which spans both near and far sides, for future landings. This area is of particular interest because of the possible presence of water ice in permanently shadowed craters.
Private companies and international collaborations are also investing in lunar exploration. The far side, with its radio silence and scientific richness, is seen as an ideal location for:
- Astronomical observatories
- Radiation studies
- Geological sampling
- Long-term lunar bases
As technology advances, we’re entering a new era of Moon exploration, one where the far side will no longer be out of reach.
Shining Light on the Dark Side of the Moon
The so-called dark side of the Moon is no longer so mysterious. Thanks to decades of space missions and international collaboration, we’re starting to piece together its secrets, from its ancient terrain to its scientific potential.
As we look ahead to future missions and the possibility of permanent lunar settlements, the far side will take centre stage. It may be hidden from our direct view, but it won’t remain in the shadows for long.
And if you’ve been inspired by the mystery of the Moon, why not commemorate your own connection to the cosmos? With OSR’s star naming gifts, you can dedicate a star to someone special – a timeless gift that shines on from every corner of the sky, including the side we’ll always be curious about!
