Discover the Moon (Resources)

 

Resources for Learning about the Moon

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA)

The Artemis Program - Humanity's Return to the Moon Overview

The Lunar Gateway

About Canadarm 3

Canadarms - a comparative table of Canadarm, Canadarm2, and Canadarm3

FAQ - about the Artemis Program

NASA

NASA  Artemis - main webpage for the Artemis Program

NASA's Lunar Exploration Program Overview - read the Artemis plan (PDF)

Illustrations of the Lunar Gateway

The Moon In Numbers (Credit: Canadian Space Agency)

Artemis I Map (Credit: NASA)

The Future Lunar Gateway (Credit: NASA)

General Information

SkyNews Magazine Online Articles about the Moon

NASA Science - Earth's Moon

Moon Image Gallery - from the CSA

Moon Exploration

Canadian Space Agency (CSA) - Moon Exploration

Canada's Role in Moon Exploration (CSA)

Moon Exploration - a video gallery from the CSA

Overview of Moon Exploration (NASA) - including past missions, history, and the people involved 

Indigenous Knowledge

Mi'kmaw Moons - "Teaching people about Moon cycles and stars, the project ties visual astronomy and Mi’kmaw storytelling together using the Two-Eyed Seeing approach, embracing both Indigenous and Western traditions in how we view the world."

Ojibway Moons - a video from NativeSkywatchers

Grandmother Moon - a resource from Lessons from Earth & Beyond for students and teachers! We had Jodie and Isaac from Lessons from the Earth and Beyond on our astronomy variety show, Insider's Guide. Check out the episode where they discuss Grandmother Moon here!

Resources for Kids

NASA Science Space Place - Moon

10 Facts about the Moon - from National Geographic Kids

 

Resources for Viewing the Moon

Observe the Moon with RASC - find a star party near you here!

The Moon at Noon:

This program leads you through how to observe the Moon using RASC's Q-day system! It follows the RASC Observing Program Explore the Moon. You can rewatch any episode anytime since the Moon goes through its full cycle in only 29.5 days!

Rewatch all the episodes in order here!

Explore the Universe Online:

Watch the episodes of our Explore the Universe series which review how to find the lunar targets in the Explore the Universe program.

Watch the "Summer Triangle" Episode Here

Watch the "Lunar Gems" Episode Here

Insider's Guide to the Galaxy:

Check out our "Observing the Moon" episode of our astronomy variety show Insider's Guide to the Galaxy here!

RASC Moon Gazer's Guide:

The Moon Gazers' Guide is the ideal tool to introduce you to the wonders of our celestial neighbour. Learn about the different moon phases and become familiar with prominent features on the lunar surface without a telescope or binoculars.

Moon Gazer's Guide Colour PDF

Moon Gazer's Guide B&W PDF

Moon Gazer's Guide Printed (also available in French)

RASC Observing Programs:

The RASC observing programs span a wide range of observing topics and experience levels. We have curated a list of observing programs/target lists that focus on the Moon. If you complete any of the below observing lists and are an RASC Member (Explore the Universe is awarded to non-members also), send us your observations and you will be awarded a certificate and pin!

(Beginner) Explore the Universe Certificate - Lunar Targets:

"Explore the Universe (awarded since 2002) is aimed at the novice visual astronomer. Those who complete the program may apply for a certificate and pin—this is open to all, RASC members and non-members alike. One of the special features of this program is that it can be completed entirely using binoculars and the unaided eye."

View the list of Lunar Targets in the Explore the Universe List here! 

Note: To be awarded a certificate you must complete the entire Explore the Universe target list, these lunar targets are just a subset of this list. 

(Intermediate) Explore the Moon Observing Certificate: 

"It is ideal for beginning observers who are just learning about telescopes and binoculars, by providing a hands-on observing experience on an easy object—the Moon. The telescope program is based on the 100 lunar features listed and charted in the RASC Observer's Handbook, originally selected by Roy Bishop. There is also a binocular program consisting of a reduced set of 40 features."

(Advanced) Isabel Williams Lunar Observing Certificate:

"The Moon is by far the most detailed astronomical object to observe through a telescope and the comprehensive Isabel Williamson Lunar Observing Program (IWLOP) will guide you through a complete tour of our nearest neighbour's incredible surface. The program includes many outstanding craters, mountains, valleys, scarps, ridges, and more, not only showing you how they appear but also describing the history of their formation over four billion years."

TimeandDate.com - find sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset times for your location, as well as the Moon phase

Virtual Moon Atlas - Windows only, great for visualising what the Moon is doing

NASA Dial-A-Moon - shows you exactly what the Moon will look like at any time or date in 2021

3D Moon - grab those red-and-blue glasses and check out this 3D photo of the Moon!

LROC Quickmap - extremely detailed map of the Moon from the Lunar Reconnaisance Orbiter data

Astrospheric - weather predictions and Moon phase, good for planning observing

Derekscope - photos of the Moon at each phase. Careful, though; the views are flipped around!

Phase Lunar Day Q-Day Binocular View Reflector View Refractor View
Waxing 2 -5 Binocular Waxing -5 Reflector Waxing -5 Refractor Waxing -5
3 -4 Binocular Waxing -4 Reflector Waxing -4 Refractor Waxing -4
4 -3 Binocular Waxing -3 Reflector Waxing -3 Refractor Waxing -3
5 -2 Binocular Waxing -2 Reflector Waxing -2 Refractor Waxing -2
6 -1 Binocular Waxing -1 Reflector Waxing -1 Refractor Waxing -1
7 0 Binocular Waxing 0 Reflector Waxing 0 Refractor Waxing 0
8 +1 Binocular Waxing +1 Reflector Waxing +1 Refractor Waxing +1
9 +2 Binocular Waxing +2 Reflector Waxing +2 Refractor Waxing +2
10 +3 Binocular Waxing +3 Reflector Waxing +3 Refractor Waxing +3
11 +4 Binocular Waxing +4 Reflector Waxing +4 Refractor Waxing +4
12 +5 Binocular Waxing +5 Reflector Waxing +5 Refractor Waxing +5
13 +6 Binocular Waxing +6 Reflector Waxing +6 Refractor Waxing +6
Full 14 Full Binocular Sea Map Reflector Sea Map Refractor Sea Map
Waning 16 -5 Binocular Waning -5 Reflector Waxing -5 Refractor Waning -5
17 -4 Binocular Waning -4 Reflector Waxing -4 Refractor Waning -4
18 -3 Binocular Waning -3 Reflector Waxing -3 Refractor Waning -3
19 -2 Binocular Waning -2 Refof lector Waxing -2 Refractor Waning -2
20 -1 Binocular Waning -1 Reflector Waxing -1 Refractor Waning -1
21 0 Binocular Waning 0 Reflector Waxing 0 Refractor Waning 0
22 +1 Binocular Waning +1 Reflector Waxing +1 Refractor Waning +1
23 +2 Binocular Waning +2 Reflector Waxing +2 Refractor Waning +2
24 +3 Binocular Waning +3 Reflector Waxing +3 Refractor Waning +3
25 +4 Binocular Waning +4 Reflector Waxing +4 Refractor Waning +4
26 +5 Binocular Waning +5 Reflector Waxing +5 Refractor Waning +5
27 +6 Binocular Waning +6 Reflector Waxing +6 Refractor Waning +6

 

Resources for Sketching the Moon

Learn about how sketching helps you become a better observer here!

Sketching the Moon Webinar

Presented by Bettina Forget, Director of the SETI Institute’s Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program

Learn how to sketch craters on the Moon! This workshop will be led by Bettina Forget, Karim Jaffer (RASC Montreal), and Samantha Jewett (RASC National). Follow along with our step-by-step tutorial, and end with your very own sketch of a lunar crater. Don't forget to share your results on social media by using the hashtag #moonart and tagging @RASC_National!

 

Do you prefer written tutorials?

Crater Sketching 101 - Learn how to sketch lunar craters in 6 steps using just a pencil, eraser, and tissue! Resource created by RASC Montreal

Carol Lakomiak's Astrosketching Tutorials: the Moon - a more in-depth beginner astrosketching tutorial. Includes pictures, tips and tricks, and reviews useful tools for lunar sketching. Interested in astrosketching in general? Check out RASC Astrosketchers here!

How to draw the Moon using pastels - an in-depth article by BBC's Sky at Night Magazine on sketching the Moon with pastels

Or video tutorials?

The Moon at Noon: Lunar Sketching - a 15-minute tutorial for beginners on how to sketch lunar craters. We also discuss how to draw craters digitally (an iPad with Apple Pencil is used for this tutorial).

Sketching the Moon Workshop - in-depth online webinar recording by Bettina Forget on how to sketch lunar craters. Hosted by the Ontario Science Centre. 

Practice your lunar sketching skills with these images of the Moon

Lunar Craters Up Close - a selection of large and up-close images of lunar craters from RASC's Explore the Moon observing program. These images are used for our Sketching the Moon webinar on April 14th!

Explore the Moon Targets - Photographic Album of Lunar Features used as objectives in the RASC Explore the Moon observing program.

Examples of lunar sketches

RASC's Astrosketchers Gallery - search the term "Moon" to find lunar sketches

"Women with Impact" by Bettina Forget - a series of 27 drawings of lunar craters named after women