Full Moon (2017-12-08)NASA
Look up to the heavens on most any night and you'll see the same moon our ancestors saw, still casting its glow down on us. In fact, due to tidal forces, we even see the same side of the moon all the time!
From ancient Egyptian deities to walking on the moon's surface, humanity's fascination with our satellite pervades cultures around the world. Scroll to see perspectives of the moon from throughout history.
Khonsu pendant (ca. 1295–1070 B.C.)The Metropolitan Museum of Art
This Egyptian pendant, currently residing at The Metropolitan Museum in New York, was created between 1295 and 1070 BCE. It depicts the moon god Khonsu as a falcon, wearing a headdress of the crescent moon and sun.
Two Men Contemplating the Moon (1819 - 1820) by Caspar David FriedrichNew Masters Gallery, Dresden State Art Collections
Almost 3000 years later, German artist Caspar David Friedrich painted this rendition of the same crescent moon. The captivating work is on display at the New Masters Gallery in Dresden, Germany.
This piece is the first of three versions by the artist, created in approximately 1819. The men in the painting are said to be the artist and his disciple August Heinrich.
The moon on Musashi Plain (Musashino no tsuki) from the series 'One hundred aspects of the moon (Tsuki no hyakushi)' I/1892 (1892) by Tsukioka YOSHITOSHIArt Gallery of South Australia
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi was one of the last masters of ukiyo-e, a Japanese form of woodblock art. He created this piece in 1892 as part of his series One Hundred Aspects of the Moon. This print is on display at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
The gargantuan moon shines brightly low in the sky, just above the fox's head. Why does the moon appear larger when it's closer to the horizon? There are multiple hypotheses, from atmospheric refraction to an optical illusion due to relative size.
The Snake Charmer (1907) by Henri Rousseau, known as le DouanierMusée d’Orsay, Paris
Thousands of miles away, French painter Henri Rousseau created a similar view of the moon in 1907. Relative to the other subjects in the piece, this moon looks much smaller than the one in Yoshitoshi's work.
On the ground, a flute-playing woman charms a snake. Many of Rousseau's other pieces also feature the full moon. Do you think it held any special significance to him?
The Starry Night (1889) by Vincent van GoghMoMA The Museum of Modern Art
Earth's lunar counterpart also plays a prominent role in Vincent Van Gogh's famous Starry Night. A yellow crescent moon hangs in the sky above the sleepy village, surrounded by a pale halo like the other celestial beacons.
The topography of Van Gogh's built-up brushstrokes is difficult to capture in two dimensions, but a closer view gives a detailed perspective of the swirling colors. To see the breathtaking texture in person, visit MoMA in New York City.
M372_001Adler Planetarium
One of the most ubiquitous representations of the moon is that of the "Man in the Moon." The sea-like dark areas on the surface contribute to the illusion. This perpetual lunar calendar, which appears courtesy of the Adler Planetarium, was crafted in Germany circa 1700 CE.
The Moon (1857–60) by John Adams Whipple|James Wallace BlackThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
John Adams Whipple and James Wallace Black produced this early photograph of the moon around 1860. How incredible it must have been for the average person to see the view through the largest telescope in the world.
Apollo 11 Mission image - View of moon limb,with Earth on the ho (1969-07-20)NASA
In 1969, our perspective of the moon changed forever. For the first time, human beings broke free of our earthly confines and touched down on another world. This photograph shows our home planet from almost 240,000 away!
Photogramme du Voyage dans la lune (1902) by Georges MélièsThe Cinémathèque française
The personification of the moon has continued to be a theme in media, in spite of our accurate imagery. This iconic example appeared in French filmmaker Georges Méliès' Le Voyage dans la Lune.
From a Million Miles Away, NASA Camera Shows Moon Crossing Face of Earth (2017-12-08)NASA
Today, we even have photographs of the dark side of the moon. Can you imagine Galileo's reaction to this mind-blowing image?
Below, you can take a magnificent tour of the moon's splendor, captured in a video by NASA.
Tour of the Moon 4K Redux (2018-04-09) by NASA Scientific Visualization StudioNASA
