Is it really made of cheese?

Many moons ago: 10 lunar facts you might not know

Image: Sanni Sahil

Humanity has always had the Moon as a companion, using it to track time and the seasons and even believing it capable of affecting people’s behavior. As Earth’s only natural satellite, the Moon has a significant influence on our planet, from causing tides to keeping the globe from tilting even more. Let’s learn more about her!

Image: Nicolas Thomas

No one is certain about how the Moon came to be, but scientists have some educated guesses. The most widely accepted hypothesis is that the Moon is a by-product of a collision between a very young planet Earth and another celestial body the size of Mars. This collision not only left Earth permanently tilted, but it also blasted large amounts of material into space. The Moon is thought to have formed from this debris and, in consequence, is related to Earth.

Image: Dennys Hess

Similar to Earth, the Moon also experiences ‘earthquakes’ or, in this case, moonquakes. But, unlike Earth, the Moon lacks tectonic plates. Instead, its seismic activity is caused by meteorite impacts, the gravitational pull of the Earth and the Sun, and shrinkage due to heating and cooling. These quakes are nowhere near as strong as an earthquake, but they are significant enough to pose challenges for the construction of permanent lunar bases.

Image: v2osk

One side of the Moon is always obscured, but this doesn’t mean it is perpetually dark. Each face of the moon experiences about two weeks of sunlight at a time, while the other side experiences night. However, one of its sides is constantly facing away from the Earth, which means there is a side that we don’t see. It has been called ‘the far side’ and ‘the dark side’, not because it lacks light, but because it is unknown.

Image: Bernd 📷 Dittrich

We always see the same face of the Moon from Earth, but its appearance changes depending on our location. It’s largely a matter of perspective: from the Northern hemisphere, the Moon is perceived "upright", while in the Southern hemisphere it appears effectively "upside down." A waxing crescent moon looks like a "D" in the North, but like a "C" in the South, with the light on the left. This explains why Northern hemisphere cultures have traditionally seen a man or rabbit in the Moon, while Southern hemisphere cultures haven’t. The markings on the Moon are the same, but they are perceived differently.

Image: NASA

American astronauts and Soviet spacecraft landers have left several flags and banners on the Moon, but they are merely symbolic. According to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, outer space and its celestial bodies—the Moon included—belong to mankind as a whole, and can’t be legally claimed by a single nation or owned as private property. The same treaty states that the Moon can only be used for peaceful purposes, prohibiting military installations and nuclear weapons. In recent years, however, the U.S. and other countries have challenged the Outer Space Treaty.

Image: Jenin Abumazen

The Moon has its own gravity, weaker than Earth’s because of the size difference, yet it still exerts a significant influence on our planet. The Moon’s gravitational pull helps stabilize Earth’s axial tilt, preventing it from shifting constantly. This pull is the reason tides exist: water is a fluid, so it moves much more easily than land when pulled by the Moon’s gravitational force, creating the familiar rise and fall of the oceans.

Image: NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Did you know that only twelve people have ever walked on the Moon? Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first to do so, on July 20, 1969, and the last was Gene Cernan on December 14, 1972. All twelve moonwalkers were American astronauts from NASA’s Apollo program. In total, six Apollo missions successfully landed astronauts on the Moon.

Image: Victor Kallenbach

Unlike solar eclipses, the Moon is not completely darkened during a lunar eclipse. It is illuminated by the refraction of sunlight on Earth. As the light passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, it scatters, causing the light and the Moon to be perceived as reddish or as a ‘Blood Moon.’

Image: Benjamin Voros

Solar calendars are widely used today, but this wasn’t always the case. The lunar cycle and the phases of the Moon have been used to track time for thousands of years, and they are the origin of the idea of months and weeks. Although most of the world now officially uses the Gregorian solar calendar, the continued importance of lunar calendars can be seen in observances such as the Lunar New Year in many Asian cultures, the calculation of Easter in Christianity, Ramadan in the Islamic world, and festivals such as Holi and Diwali in Hindu traditions.

Image: Luca

Werewolves, witches, lunatics. What does the Moon have to do with them? Cultures all around the world have, at some point, believed that the Moon had a powerful influence on human behavior, much as it does on Earth itself. Full moons in particular were thought to cause sleep deprivation and worsen mental conditions. Individuals who were ‘moonstruck’ were dubbed ‘lunatics,’ after luna, the Latin word for the Moon.

Stop! You’ve been using these 11 objects the wrong way

Image: Diana Polekhina

We use countless objects daily without questioning their design, yet many have hidden features or were meant for entirely different purposes. From kitchen tools to bananas, here are 11 everyday items you might be using all wrong—or that at least have surprising secrets built in.

Image: Anastasia Nikitina

Yes, toothpaste was always intended to clean and polish teeth, but its mild abrasives make it effective for cleaning jewelry, removing stains from clothing, and even defogging mirrors.

Interestingly, the first toothpaste-like substance dates back to ancient Egypt, where a blend of pumice and vinegar was used for oral care. Modern toothpaste, which includes ingredients like baking soda—another household staple—explains why it’s so effective on surfaces beyond just teeth.

Image: Markus Winkler

That hole in your pasta spoon isn’t just for draining water; it can also help measure a perfect portion of dry spaghetti!

A single serving of spaghetti is about the amount that fits through the hole. This design prevents cooking too much or too little, though not all pasta spoons have holes large enough for accurate measuring.

Image: engin akyurt

The latch inside gas pump nozzles was originally designed to shut off fuel flow automatically when the tank is full, not to hold the pump open.

Modern pumps use this mechanism as a safety feature, preventing spills and overflows. In some places, using the latch to hold the nozzle open is even illegal due to fire risks.

Image: Karsten Winegeart

Those metal loops on the back of grocery cart seats aren’t just for show—they’re designed to hold plastic bags with fragile items.

Hanging lighter bags here prevents them from being crushed by heavier groceries in the cart, yet few shoppers take advantage of this simple design. So, next time you go shopping, give it a try—it could be a real lifesaver.

Image: Bam Mccarthy

The hole in a soda can tab isn’t just part of the opening mechanism—it can double as a straw holder. Once you pop the can open, turning the tab around aligns the hole perfectly for a straw. This prevents the straw from floating or shifting while drinking.

While this wasn’t the original intent behind the design, it’s a clever and surprisingly convenient way to make use of an otherwise inconsequential design quirk.

Image: Annie Spratt

If you're like me, this has likely been a brain teaser since childhood: What is the blue side of a two-tone eraser for? Popular wisdom says it's for ink removal, but have you ever tried erasing ink with that side? It just completely obliterates the paper.

Well, it turns out the blue side of a two-tone eraser was actually designed for use on heavier paper, not for removing ink.

Image: Matúš Kameniar

The small bumps on the ‘F’ and ‘J’ keys exist to help typists find their hand placement without looking.

These tactile guides help your fingers find their way back to the home row, enabling faster and more efficient typing. Even if you're not a professional typist, you can rely on this feature to improve both speed and accuracy while writing.

Image: Monika Guzikowska

Ever watched a monkey peel a banana? You might be in for a surprise, because it turns out the easiest way to peel a banana is from the bottom, not the stem.

Monkeys naturally pinch the bottom of the banana and pull, avoiding the struggle of breaking the tough stem. This method also reduces the risk of squishing the fruit inside.

Image: Brett Jordan

The small hole at the end of a measuring tape is designed to hook onto nails or screws for one-person measurements. This feature provides a more stable grip when measuring long distances without needing an extra set of hands.

Also, the serrated edge on some tapes doubles as a tool for marking surfaces. So, next time you don't have a buddy around to help, don’t worry—your measuring tape has you covered!

Image: Andrea Davis

Many people use the drawer under their oven for storage, but it was originally designed as a warming drawer.

This compartment keeps cooked food warm while the rest of the meal finishes, though in some modern models, it may simply be intended for extra storage. Checking your oven’s manual might reveal its true purpose.

Image: Mockup Free

Ever heard someone say you can judge a good wine by the depth of the indentation at the bottom of the bottle? Well, that’s a myth, though it may suggest a better-designed bottle.

The indent at the bottom of a wine bottle, called a punt, helps distribute pressure and maintain structural integrity. Originally designed to support the bottle against carbonation in sparkling wines, it’s now mostly tradition but still improves durability.