The Moon, our closest natural satellite, has always fascinated and intrigued humanity. Although we see it regularly from Earth, one recurring question remains: what colour is the Moon really? Depending on the time, the atmosphere and our perception, this mysterious star seems to vary its shades, and its real surface hides even more surprises.
What is the real color of the Moon?
If we could travel to space and observe the Moon directly, we would see it in a brownish gray colorThis hue is due to its dusty surface composed of lunar regolith and minerals such as Magnesium, iron, titanium y feldsparThe lack of atmosphere results in a relatively uniform appearance but with small variations in hue depending on mineral concentrations.
For example, areas rich in titanium tend to be bluer, while those containing higher amounts of iron show more orange colours. In space photos, this subtlety can be clearly observed, although to the naked eye from Earth it is less evident. You can learn more about the curiosities of the Moon here. to better understand these variations.
The role of the Earth's atmosphere
From our perspective on Earth, the atmosphere plays a fundamental role in how we perceive the color of the Moon. This effect occurs due to a phenomenon known as Rayleigh scattering, which affects the way sunlight is refracted as it passes through the layers of gases that surround us. To better understand how these phenomena influence the perception of the color of the sky and the Moon, you can read our article on The Brocken spectrum and optical phenomena.
For this reason, when the Moon is close to the horizon line, we often see it tinted with reddish or orange tonesThis happens because blue light, with a shorter wavelength, is scattered in all directions, while red light, with a longer wavelength, manages to pass through the atmosphere and reach our eyes. The lunar rainbow also reveals the different colors of light in certain astronomical events.
The colors of the Moon and their popular names
Over the centuries, different cultures have assigned evocative names to certain appearances of the Moon. However, these names do not always correspond to its actual color:
- Blue Moon: This phenomenon is not related to an actual change in the color of the Moon. It occurs when there are two full moons in the same month, which is relatively rare. In certain cases, large particles in the atmosphere can give the Moon a slightly darker hue. azul. More information about these phenomena in lunar halos.
- Pink Moon: It refers to the first full moon in April, inspired by the flowering of a pink moss in North America. Despite the name, the Moon does not actually change color.
- Red or blood moon: This phenomenon occurs during a total lunar eclipse, when the Earth blocks the direct light of the Sun and the Moon reflects only the red light refracted by the Earth's atmosphere.
Why does the Moon appear to change size?
Scientific curiosities about the Moon
The Moon is an inexhaustible source of fascinating data for science and astronomy. Here are some Interesting Facts that maybe you didn't know:
- Lunar soil: The lunar regolith, which makes up its surface, is composed of fine particles generated by meteorite impacts. If you'd like to learn more about missions to the Moon, visit the Chinese rover on the Moon.
- Without atmosphere: The Moon lacks an atmosphere because its gravity is not sufficient to retain gas particles.
- Extreme temperatures: During the day, the temperature of the Moon can reach 127 ° C, while at night it descends to -173 ºC.
- Famous Craters: It has more than 1.600 craters known, the most prominent being tycho, Copernicus y GrimaldiTo better understand how these craters are observed, check out the use of telescopes to study the Moon.
