12 Wild and Crazy Myths About the Moon
Every night as the Sun sets the Moon appears in the sky. While it’s not always visible, the Moon is always there. As we fall asleep, the Moon hangs in the night sky. The Moon is fascinating and full of interesting facts and figures. For example, did you know the Moon is almost as old as Earth itself, with evidence suggesting the Moon formed not long after the Earth? Since the dawn of time, the Moon has fascinated humans and there have been many myths about the moon.
From ancient civilizations to the present day, the Moon has been a big part of every culture on the planet. Some cultures believe the Moon can predict pregnancy and future events. However, several myths and legends about the Moon need clearing up. Let’s take a trip to the sky and uncover 12 myths about the Moon.
1. A Full Moon Doesn’t Affect Sleep
There’s a common myth that a full Moon doesn’t affect the sleep cycle, but evidence suggests a full Moon can cause poor sleep. In Switzerland, a group of scientists discovered that adults get less sleep during a full Moon.
The study indicated that it took five minutes longer to fall asleep, but they’d wake up 20 minutes earlier. Furthermore, they spent less time in deep sleep than usual. They still haven’t found a cause for the Moon cycle interfering with sleep.
2. The Moon Makes Humans Go Crazy
Ancient civilizations believed the moon goddess, Luna, was responsible for making people do crazy things. Hence, the word “lunatic” comes from “luna.” Even in modern times, there are claims the full moon causes humans to become insane.
While evidence suggests an increase in violence during a full Moon, it’s not because the Moon affects humans. A possible reason for the rise in violence is the full Moon provides more light; thus, crime increases. The full Moon causing insanity relates to tales of werewolves and vampires, which we all know aren’t true…
3. The Moon Landing Was Fake
On July 20th, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first to walk on the Moon. Apollo 11’s successful mission to the Moon was one of the most significant accomplishments in human history. However, many conspiracy theorists believe the moon landing was fake.
Despite debunking every conspiracy theory, there are still many questions they ask. Some claim a breeze made the American flag flutter after Armstrong and Aldrin planted it. In reality, the position of the flag and its momentum gave it the appearance of blowing in the wind. Many people still think Armstrong and Aldrin were on a soundstage in a major film studio.
4. Aliens Live on the Moon
There have been a few claims of ancient alien civilizations living on the Moon throughout history. The lack of evidence doesn’t stop the imagination from running wild. Using his trusty telescope, Bavarian astronomer Franz von Paula Gruithuisen claimed to witness aliens on the Moon living in significant cities in the 1820s. He called them Lunarians and claimed they built homes, roads, and buildings. Of course, his colleagues quickly debunked his theory.
Later, British astronomer Sir William Herschel made a similar claim and even updated the public on the progress of their various projects. The Apollo 11 mission quickly debunked these wild theories.
5. The Dark Side of the Moon
From afar, it often appears that there’s a dark side of the Moon. Despite being the name of Pink Floyd’s classic album, there is no dark side of the Moon. As NASA points out, we see the Moon’s far side, not the dark side.
Due to the Moon’s rotation, we can only see about 41% of it. Therefore, what appears to be the dark side is just the far side. It’s easily one of the most popular Moon myths.
6. A Rabbit Lives on the Moon
Every child has heard the tale of the man on the Moon. However, stories of people living on the Moon exist in every culture. In Native American folklore, a rabbit lives on the Moon. In Chinese mythology, a woman, Chang’e, is the rabbit’s companion. The markings and appearance of the Moon are often the inspiration behind these magical tales.
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7. A Blue Moon Is Blue
Certain words combined with the Moon get the imagination going. Blood moon, strawberry moon, and wolf moon sound far more dangerous than they really are. For example, a wolf moon is the first full Moon of January. Most people assume the term “blue moon” means the Moon turns blue. However, a blue moon is a rare second full moon in the same month.
8. Earth’s Shadows Block the Moon
Despite learning the basics about the Moon, Sun, and Earth in grade 1, many people still get a lot of the facts mixed up. A large number of people believe that the Earth’s shadow blocks the Moon when it passes between the Sun and Moon. Therefore, the Earth causes the Moon’s phase from a full Moon to a crescent moon. However, the only time they all interact is during a lunar eclipse. The rest of the year, the Sun illuminates the Moon all day.
9. The Moon Is a Hollow Alien Spacecraft
In the 1970s, two Russian scientists made a shocking claim that the Moon is a hollowed-out spaceship carrying an ancient civilization of aliens. While it makes for a great plot for a science fiction movie, it’s improbable. To believe the Moon is a hollow spacecraft requires ignoring science, the size of the Moon, and its weight.
10. The Moon Controls Fertility
Many ancient civilizations believed the Moon played a part in pregnancy. They assumed the lunar cycle could predict when a woman could be pregnant. These theories made a roaring comeback in the 1950s. After discovering ancient texts, doctor Eugene Jonas began telling patients that they ovulate when the Moon is in the same position they were born, which is not true.
Despite this, theories about pregnancy and the Moon still run rampant. One popular theory claims there’s an increase in births during a full moon, but any pregnancy during a full moon is a pure coincidence.
11. No Gravity on the Moon
A common myth is there’s no gravity on the Moon, which is why astronauts can bounce and float on the Moon. This is false, as the Moon certainly has gravity, it’s just slightly different on Earth. Gravity is what keeps astronauts on the surface of the Moon.
While technology also helps them, gravity plays a role in it too. In fact, there is just enough gravity to keep them grounded on the Moon, otherwise, they’d float out to space like George Clooney in Gravity.
12. The Nazis Had a Base on the Moon
During World War II, rumors ran rampant that the Nazi army had a significant breakthrough. Rumors suggested that Adolf Hitler sent scientists to the Moon to establish a top-secret facility. Some theories even claim Hitler faked his death and is hiding out on the Moon.
Others believe the Nazis had a dedicated UFO program during the war and that the Nazis were responsible for UFO sightings and the famous Roswell incident. For the record, neither Neil Armstrong nor Buzz Aldrin saw any indication of aliens or a Nazi base camp.
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