{"id":504955,"date":"2025-06-28T04:18:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-28T02:18:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osr.org\/?p=504955"},"modified":"2025-06-30T04:33:41","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T02:33:41","slug":"what-is-the-dark-side-of-the-moon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osr.org\/en-uk\/blog\/astronomy-uk\/what-is-the-dark-side-of-the-moon\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Dark Side of the Moon?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For centuries, humanity has gazed up at the <a href=\"https:\/\/osr.org\/en-uk\/blog\/astronomy-uk\/the-moon-everything-you-need-to-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Moon<\/a>, captivated by its pale glow and ever-changing face. But no matter how many full moons we&#8217;ve watched rise over the horizon, we\u2019ve always seen the same side. Naturally, this has fuelled both fascination and speculation\u00a0 about the so-called \u201cdark side of the Moon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">But what <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">is<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> the dark side, really? Is it shrouded in shadow? A place of mystery and secrets? Or is it simply a misunderstood astronomical term?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In this article, we\u2019ll 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #15acdf\">What Is the Dark Side of the Moon?<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"container-lazyload preview-lazyload container-youtube js-lazyload--not-loaded\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/yjf3ufgYj6A?si=xNBzMg_-DKMMYGr_\" class=\"lazy-load-youtube preview-lazyload preview-youtube\" data-video-title=\"NASA Shows Far Side of Moon As Never Seen Before\" title=\"Play video &quot;NASA Shows Far Side of Moon As Never Seen Before&quot;\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/yjf3ufgYj6A?si=xNBzMg_-DKMMYGr_<\/a><noscript>Video can&#8217;t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/yjf3ufgYj6A?si=xNBzMg_-DKMMYGr_\" title=\"NASA Shows Far Side of Moon As Never Seen Before\">NASA Shows Far Side of Moon As Never Seen Before (https:\/\/youtu.be\/yjf3ufgYj6A?si=xNBzMg_-DKMMYGr_)<\/a><\/noscript><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Despite the poetic name, the \u201cdark side of the Moon\u201d is a bit of a misnomer, as it doesn\u2019t actually refer to a side that\u2019s perpetually cloaked in eternal darkness. The idea of a \u201cdark\u201d 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 \u201cdark side\u201d is actually pretty irrelevant &#8211; the far side sees just as much sunlight as the side we see &#8211; we just don\u2019t have a natural vantage point to observe it from Earth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So why do we never see the far side?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Well, that\u2019s 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 &#8211; the near side &#8211; always faces us, while the far side remains turned away.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #15acdf\">First Glimpses: Mapping the Far Side of the Moon<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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\u2019s far side. The grainy images it beamed back revealed a landscape that was surprisingly different from the near side.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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\u2019s crust might be thicker on the far side, preventing magma from breaking through in the same way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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&#8217;s complex terrain in all its glory.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #15acdf\">Key Features of the Dark Side of the Moon<\/span><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_504956\" style=\"width: 768px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-504956\" class=\"size-full wp-image-504956\" title=\"dark-side-of-the-moon\" src=\"https:\/\/osr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dark-side-of-the-moon.jpg\" alt=\"The dark side of the Moon, more correctly known as the far side of the Moon.\" width=\"758\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dark-side-of-the-moon.jpg 758w, https:\/\/osr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dark-side-of-the-moon-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dark-side-of-the-moon-640x393.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 758px) 100vw, 758px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-504956\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><p class=\"caption-text\">Credit: Apollo 16 Crew, NASA<\/p><\/figure> Credit: Apollo 16 Crew, NASA<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Despite its remoteness, the far side of the Moon is a pretty fascinating place with plenty of unique features:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #15acdf\">South Pole-Aitken Basin<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One of the largest and oldest impact craters in the <a href=\"https:\/\/osr.org\/en-uk\/blog\/astronomy-uk\/the-coldest-places-in-our-solar-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Solar System<\/a>, this enormous basin stretches about 2,500 km in diameter and reaches depths of over 8 km. It&#8217;s a top target for lunar research, as it could hold clues to the Moon\u2019s early history.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #15acdf\">Tsiolkovskiy Crater<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #15acdf\">Farside Highlands<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #15acdf\">No Radio Noise<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Because it\u2019s permanently shielded from Earth\u2019s radio transmissions, the far side is an ideal location for deep space <a href=\"https:\/\/osr.org\/en-uk\/blog\/astronomy-uk\/radio-telescopes-what-are-they-and-how-do-they-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">radio telescopes<\/a>. Future missions may install observatories here to study the early universe without interference.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #15acdf\">Why Is the Dark Side of the Moon So Different?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Scientists believe the differences between the two hemispheres may be due to variations in crust thickness, cooling rates, and impacts during the Moon\u2019s early formation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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\u2019s crust is much thicker, with fewer volcanic plains.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Whatever the cause, the asymmetry has made the far side a scientific hotspot for understanding lunar evolution and planetary formation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #15acdf\">Lunar Exploration of the Dark Side of the Moon<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So far, only one mission has successfully landed on the Moon\u2019s far side: China\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov\/nmc\/spacecraft\/display.action?id=2018-103A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chang\u2019e 4<\/a>, which touched down in the Von K\u00e1rm\u00e1n Crater in 2019. Because the far side can\u2019t communicate directly with Earth, the mission relied on a relay satellite positioned in lunar orbit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chang\u2019e 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\u2019t last long!).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This marked a major milestone: the first soft landing on the far side of the Moon, and a sign of things to come.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #15acdf\">What&#8217;s Next for the Far Side?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-453126\" title=\"Apollo Missions Moonwalk\" src=\"https:\/\/osr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Apollo-Missions-Moonwalk.jpg\" alt=\"Apollo Missions Moonwalk\" width=\"758\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Apollo-Missions-Moonwalk.jpg 758w, https:\/\/osr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Apollo-Missions-Moonwalk-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Apollo-Missions-Moonwalk-640x393.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 758px) 100vw, 758px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Future missions to the far side are already in the works. NASA\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Astronomical observatories<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Radiation studies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Geological sampling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Long-term lunar bases<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As technology advances, we\u2019re entering a new era of Moon exploration, one where the far side will no longer be out of reach.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #15acdf\">Shining Light on the Dark Side of the Moon<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The so-called dark side of the Moon is no longer so mysterious. Thanks to decades of space missions and international collaboration, we&#8217;re starting to piece together its secrets, from its ancient terrain to its scientific potential.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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\u2019t remain in the shadows for long.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">And if you\u2019ve been inspired by the mystery of the Moon, why not commemorate your own connection to the cosmos? With OSR\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/osr.org\/en-uk\/#tab-osr-gift-pack?currency=GBP\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">star naming gifts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, you can dedicate a star to someone special &#8211; a timeless gift that shines on from every corner of the sky, including the side we\u2019ll always be curious about!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a class=\"button button-orange medium arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/osr.org\/en-uk\/#tab-osr-gift-pack?currency=GBP\">Name a Star with OSR<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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&#8217;ve watched rise over the horizon, we\u2019ve always seen the same side. Naturally, this has fuelled both fascination and speculation\u00a0 about the so-called \u201cdark side of the Moon.\u201d But what is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1375],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-504955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-astronomy-uk"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What Is the Dark Side of the Moon? - Online Star Register<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore the dark side of the Moon with the OSR! 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