Even before Galileo first turned his telescope toward the Moon more than three centuries ago, humankind has been--and continues to be--fascinated and inspired by Earth's closest celestial neighbor. From the "Face in the Moon" to the footprints left by American astronauts, we have looked up at the night sky and wondered about this big, bright object. Nursery rhymes have been written about it, gods and goddesses have been created because of it, and its luminance has guided travelers on their journeys. But where did our Moon come from? What is it made of? Are there useful and interesting minerals and water ice on the Moon? Could we live and work there?
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A footprint left on the lunar surface by an Apollo 11 astronaut. Image: NASA. |
