The Moon
From lighting up our skies to preserving evidence of our solar system’s history, Earth’s closest neighbor plays a pivotal role in the study of our planet and beyond.
OBSERVE THE MOON
Daily Moon Guide
NASA's interactive map for observing the Moon, every day of the year.
Next Total Lunar Eclipse
Dec 31, 2028
International Observe the Moon Night
September 19, 2026
Artemis Updates
Visit the Artemis blog for the latest news about the mission.
Moon Composition & Structure
Like Earth, the Moon consists of three main layers: a crust, a mantle, and a core.
Billions of years ago, the Moon was a molten world. As it solidified, the heaviest materials (metals like iron) sank down into the Moon’s center, and the lighter materials (lower density rocks) rose towards the surface. The result is a structure a bit like a chocolate-dipped cherry – solid core, mostly solid/partly liquid mantle, and thin outer crust.
Does the Moon Have an Atmosphere?
Yes, but just barely.
In contrast to Earth’s thick layers of air, the Moon’s exosphere is a bit like the haze you get when you whack a dirty rug with a broom: it includes a sampling of particles knocked free by impact. But instead of a rug, these particles come from the lunar surface. Instead of flying through the air, they’re ejected into near-emptiness. And instead of a broom, the Moon is pummeled by space debris.
Lunar Craters
Earth's Moon is covered in craters.
Lunar craters tell us the history not only of the Moon, but of other worlds, too. On the Moon, where there’s no liquid water or wind, evidence of our solar system's impact history has been preserved for billions of years.
Moon Phases
Earth's view of the half-sunlit Moon shifts throughout the month.
As our perspective changes, we observe a pattern known as lunar phases: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent.
How Did the Moon Form?
Earth’s Moon was born out of destruction.
There are several theories about our Moon’s formation, but almost all share this point in common. Our early solar system was the scene of violent smashups that could end in obliteration or new, larger objects. Those mashed-together objects make up the planets, moons, asteroids and other solar system objects we know today.
Uncovering Lunar Water
There’s water on the Moon.
Ancient ice hidden deep in permanently shadowed craters. H20 molecules on the sunlit lunar surface. Humanity's search for water on the Moon began hundreds of years ago. Here's a brief history of discoveries leading up to the confirmation of its presence.
Total Solar Eclipse
On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, the Moon will pass between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow over parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and a small corner of Portugal. NASA will conduct experiments in the path of totality and stream the eclipse live.
How to watchFeatures
Moon Dust
We can learn a lot from studying Moon dust—and, the Moon's powdery surface presents challenges for human and robotic explorers.
Lunar Volcanism
The Moon does not have erupting volcanoes today, but it was once flooded with flowing lava.
The Moon & Tides
As distant as the Moon may seem, its gravitational pull plays a huge role in the formation of Earth's ocean tides.
Moon Phases 2026
This visualization shows the Moon's phase and libration at hourly intervals throughout 2026, as viewed from the Northern Hemisphere.
About Moon Phases
EXPLORATION X Science
The Science of Artemis
The Moon is a 4.5-billion-year-old time capsule, pristinely preserved by the cold vacuum of space.
Artemis II carried its crew farther from Earth and closer to the Moon than any human has been in over half a century. The astronauts on board were both scientists and subjects as they flew around the far side of the Moon and back.
Learn More
