The Moon has always held a special place in our imagination, inspiring artists, romanticists and scientists alike. From any place on Earth, the clearest celestial body in the night sky is usually the moon, Earth’s only natural satellite.  Civilization has revered the moon since eons past with its depiction as a god or goddess in various mythologies — the ancient Hindus called it Chandra, Greeks called it “Artemis” and “Selene,” while the Romans referred to it as “Luna”. Many cultures in the world still use the lunar or lunisolar calendar to celebrate their festivals and rituals.

The rocky, cratered companion is roughly a quarter the size of Earth and an average of 238,855 miles away. The Moon can be seen with the naked eye most nights as it traces its 27-day orbit around our planet.