NASA has shared an impressive image capturing the far side of the Moon along with its visible side. The photograph was taken by astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission as they traveled around Earth’s natural satellite.
What does the image show?
The right side of the image displays the portion of the Moon that is visible from Earth. On the left, a section of the Moon’s far side—normally hidden from our view—is clearly visible.
What do the dark patches on the Moon indicate?
The dark areas seen on the Moon’s near side are evidence of ancient volcanic activity. These regions were formed by lava flows during the early history of the Moon.
What is the Orientale basin and why is it important?
One of the most notable features in the image is the Orientale basin. Located west of the lava plains, it spans nearly 600 miles (approximately 965 km). This विशाल crater extends across both the near and far sides of the Moon.
Why can’t we see the Moon’s far side from Earth?
According to NASA, everything to the left of the crater belongs to the Moon’s far side. This part is not visible from Earth because the Moon rotates on its axis at the same rate it orbits our planet. As a result, only one side of the Moon always faces Earth.
Why is the Artemis II mission significant?
In early April, a mission beyond Earth’s orbit was launched for the first time in 54 years. As part of Artemis II, astronauts are set to travel around the Moon and then return safely back to Earth.