Throughout history, the Moon has captivated humanity, giving rise to the emergence and persistence of numerous myths around it, some of which continue to resonate in modern times. There are various perspectives on the satellite's impact on both humans and nature, as well as the unique qualities of the Moon. There are even skeptics who question one of the notable achievements of the space race. However, we are going to deny the main myths of the Moon.
In this article we are going to tell you what the main myths about the Moon are and what is the truth.
moon myths
The moon is not round, nor white, nor does it have a dark side.
Pink Floyd serenaded the dark side of the moon, further solidifying the widespread belief that a portion of the lunar satellite is perpetually shrouded in darkness. Furthermore, our perception of the Moon from Earth leads us to visualize it as a white spherical object that resembles a street lamp, a wheel of cheese, or any other object to which it has been compared. However, the color of the Moon It is not pristine white and the shape of the Moon is not perfectly spherical.
To start, it is important to note that both sides of the Moon experience equal amounts of illumination, known as a lunar day, due to its rotation on its axis relative to the Sun, similar to that of the Earth. However, from our perspective, we constantly observe approximately the same half (up to 59% visibility), leading us to believe that the other side remains perpetually dark.
Contrary to our visual perception, The Moon does not have a perfectly round shape. For it to be considered a sphere, all points on its surface would have to be equidistant from its center, which is not the case. Like the Earth, the Moon has a slight flattening at its poles. Additionally, the side we see appears slightly larger than the opposite side, resulting in a subtle egg-like shape.
The Moon, contrary to popular belief, lacks the pristine white hue and radiant luminosity commonly associated with it. Instead, has a somewhat dull grayish color and lacks the ability to emit its own light. Its apparent illumination is the result of sunlight reflected from its surface, along with the contrasting darkness of the surrounding sky.
The moon does not make the wolves howl
The notion that wolves howl at the full moon has become a widely believed myth, leading to the creation of supernatural legends such as werewolves who supposedly undergo transformations during full moon nights. Reality, however, shows that the effects of the full moon on animals They do not include whether wolves howl more or less, but rather that their behavior can vary due to other factors.
It is important to note that there is no substantiated evidence to indicate that the full moon itself has any specific impact on animals. However, certain effects can be attributed to it. For example, certain species of fish, birds, and reptiles coordinate their migratory or egg-laying patterns with the tides, choosing to depart or arrive during the full moon when the tides are at their peak.
The impact of light on animals varies in different situations. During the nights of the full moon, diurnal creatures venture out to hunt as if it were day, while nocturnal animals retreat to their burrows to avoid excessive light. An intriguing example is the African dung beetle, which demonstrates a preference for lunar rather than solar lighting. He displays improved navigation skills and rolls his dung balls in more direct trajectories under the moon's glow.
The Moon is not hollow
The Brocken Spectre and other optical phenomena show that many beliefs about the Moon being hollow lack scientific foundation. The notion that the Moon may be hollow, or contain a substantial amount of empty space, is a concept that frequently appears in science fiction and is sometimes considered by people with varying degrees of seriousness. Some propose that its formation process is responsible for this, while others suggest that it was emptied intentionally to make room for the construction of various structures, in particular an extraterrestrial base.
Scientific consensus strongly opposes the idea that the Moon lacks internal structure. All evidence points to a thin crust, a vast mantle, and a denser inner core between its layers.
Women don't go into labor on a full moon.
Moon phases and its relationship with birth have been the subject of numerous studies, which conclude that there is no proven relationship between the full moon and birth. A common misconception is that women nearing the end of their pregnancy are more likely to go into labor on nights with a full moon. Numerous studies have ruled out this supposed influence, and the predominant explanation for this myth lies in our brain's inclination to look for connections and patterns between extraordinary events to make sense of the world.
For example, if a hospital experiences an increase in births on a full moon night, people are likely to associate certain events to provide an explanation. However, if a similar increase in births occurs on another night without a full moon, no one will draw a correlation between the two events.
Throughout popular culture, there has long been an association between the Moon and fertility, probably due to the parallel between women's reproductive cycles and lunar cycles, both lasting approximately 28 days. It's worth noting that this is the only relationship between the Moon and fertility supported by evidence. You can find more information in our section dedicated to constellations of greek culture.
The Moon doesn't drive us crazy
The use of the term "lunatic" It's unfounded. There is a widespread, if somewhat confusing, belief that the presence of a full moon can trigger or exacerbate mental health problems and disorders. This notion has a profound effect on our mood, leaving us feeling unsettled.
While it may be difficult to quantify, there is no substantiated evidence to suggest that nights with a full moon result in higher rates of hospital admissions for psychiatric conditions or an increase in crimes, murders or suicides. Besides, It is important to note that the moon has no impact on agriculture.To understand more, you can consult our article on the astronomical clock and its history.
There is a long-held belief that persists that suggests plants grow more vigorously and produce larger yields when grown during the full moon phase. This notion can be attributed to two potential mechanisms that offer an explanation for this phenomenon.
