Product: Earth's Moon (Natural Satellite, Model: Luna-1)
Manufacturer: Solar System Assembly Line (approx. 4.51 billion years ago)
Warranty: None. The Moon is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind.
Support: Community-maintained. No service desk. No refunds.
Welcome to The Moon Manual — the operating guide for Earth's only natural satellite. Whether you're an astronomer, a curious human, a future visitor, or just someone who looked up and thought "what is that thing?", this manual covers everything you need to know.
Written in the style of technical product documentation because, frankly, the Moon is a piece of hardware — a 7.35 × 10²² kg rock in a stable orbit around your planet. It deserves a proper manual.
| Chapter | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anatomy | Physical structure, dimensions, and internal layers |
| 2 | Orbit | Orbital mechanics, distance, and tidal locking |
| 3 | Phases | The lunar phase cycle and what it means |
| 4 | Eclipses | Solar and lunar eclipses — causes and schedules |
| 5 | Geology | Surface features, regolith, and impact craters |
| 6 | Visiting | Travel guide, landing sites, and survival notes |
| 7 | FAQ & Troubleshooting | Common issues and frequently asked questions |
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Mass | 7.342 × 10²² kg (1.2% of Earth) |
| Diameter | 3,474.8 km (27% of Earth) |
| Surface gravity | 1.62 m/s² (16.6% of Earth / 1/6g) |
| Escape velocity | 2.38 km/s |
| Surface temperature | −173°C to 127°C |
| Atmosphere | None (trace exosphere) |
| Rotation period | 27.32 days |
| Orbital period | 27.32 days |
| Distance from Earth | 384,400 km (average) |
| Age | ~4.51 billion years |
| Albedo | 0.12 (reflects ~12% of sunlight) |
| Apparent magnitude | −12.6 (full Moon) |
Warning
The Moon has no atmosphere, which means:
- No breathable air (bring your own)
- No weather (but also no weather delays)
- No sound propagation (it's very quiet)
- No protection from solar radiation
- Extreme temperature swings (300°C difference between day and night)
Note
The Moon is tidally locked to Earth. Only one side ever faces us. The other side ("the far side") is not the same as "the dark side" — a common misconception popularized by Pink Floyd. The far side gets sunlight; it just doesn't face Earth.
- Step outside at night
- Look up
- If you see a bright, pale disk — that's the Moon ✅
- If you see nothing — see Troubleshooting: Why can't I see the Moon?
This manual is community-maintained. If you find an error, have a suggestion, or want to add a chapter, please open an issue or submit a pull request.
Tip
Contributions about the Moon only. If you want to document the Sun, make your own repo. The Sun doesn't need a manual — it's self-documenting (it literally emits light).
MIT — because the Moon belongs to everyone. See LICENSE.
The Moon Manual is an educational project. The Moon is not actually a product and has no manufacturer, warranty, or service desk. But you knew that.