The moon has been the subject of wonder, story, rhyme, and song since the

beginning of mankind. People’s fascination with the moon has extended to fairy
tales and myths, religious ceremonies, hunting and farming rituals, boating
routines and romance. The moon has been a fundamental element of human
culture which is understandable given that if the moon did not exist, neither would
humans. In the context of the history of man only relatively recently has humans
reached the moon and discovered how it was likely formed and what it consists
of. The moon allows and sustains life on Earth, affects its tides daily and though
not a mystery to the same degree as it had been throughout all of history, it
continues to inspire the imagination and much remains to be learned of Earth’s
closest celestial neighbor.

recisely how the moon was formed has been a long-standing mystery and still
remains just a theory. However, for the past quarter-century, the majority of
scientists have agreed upon a likely scenario. According to the general
consensus opinion, about four and a half billion years ago, a planet or asteroid
about the circumference of Mars collided with the Earth, striking it indirectly. The
impact sent the Earth spinning and the part of the Earth’s crust that was
disengaged from the impact began circling the Earth much in the same way
Saturn’s rings revolve around that planet. This material now caught in Earth’s
gravitational pull was made up of both the upper layer of the Earth and the object
that struck it. Eventually, this material coalesced into one large mass, the moon
(Heiken et al, 1991). This is a viable theory but not the only one. Some scientists
theorize that the moon was created by an indefinite means far from Earth then
became trapped in a gravitational orbit around the Earth when it passed close by.
Still, most scientists suggest the ‘impact theory’ as being the most probable.
Though such a cosmic event was common in the early stages of the solar
system, it is very improbable in its present stage of development.

The moon has been there when no one else was. Late at night, I can wander
outside, tea in hand and lament my problems to her. She dose not judge me,
dose not offer her unwanted insight or poor advice. She listens, she listens
better then any human ever could. Many a secret have I spilled to her.
Insecurities, and dreams, she is the best secret keeper of them all. Never will I
have to worry about her repeating or miss repeating them to a judgmental
crowd. The moon is always there, even if she wanes, even if I can't see her, and
yes even if she is eclipsed by the blinding sun. But I always know she is there,
and I can talk to her, even when I can't see her. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that
she's beautiful. Whether she's delicately gracing the scars as a slither of white,
or illuminating our homes in a golden burst. Nothing is as relaxing as staring at
her beauty, letting go of my problems and putting our little world in her
perspective. But the best part of the moon, is we are all under her. Everyone
you've ever loved, everyone you miss at 3 AM is still under her watchful case.
Look up and you might just feel more connected to them. Even those that our
passed, are still somehow under the moon. (Matter is never destroyed after
all.) And somewhere, someone is probably looking at it the same time as you!
The moon makes sure that we are never truly alone.