September 15, 2024
The same forces that sculpt nebulae and spin galaxies into existence were at work the day you were born.
Find the Man in the Moon
Birthday · September 15, 2024
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APOD published September 15, 2024. Credit: Dani Caxete. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
Have you ever seen the Man in the Moon? This common question plays on the ability of humans to see pareidolia -- imagining familiar icons where they don't actually exist. The textured surface of Earth's full Moon is home to numerous identifications of iconic objects, not only in modern western culture but in world folklore throughout history. Examples, typically dependent on the Moon's perceived orientation, include the Woman in the Moon and the Rabbit in the Moon. One facial outline commonly identified as the Man in the Moon starts by imagining the two dark circular areas -- lunar maria -- here just above the Moon's center, to be the eyes. Surprisingly, there actually is a man in this Moon image -- a close look will reveal a real person -- with a telescope -- silhouetted against the Moon. This well-planned image was taken in 2016 in Cadalso de los Vidrios in Madrid, Spain. Observe the Moon Night: NASA Coverage
Image credit: Dani Caxete