The far side of the Moon, also called the dark side of the Moon, is the hemisphere of the Moon that faces away from Earth; the opposite hemisphere being the near side. Due to tidal locking, the time i
The ground surface of the lunar far side with the Yutu-2 rover (center), captured by the Chang'e 4 lander.
Detailed view with Mare Moscoviense visible, by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)
The 7 October 1959 image by Luna 3, which revealed for the first time the far side of the Moon. Clearly visible is Mare Moscoviense (top right) and a mare triplet of Mare Crisium, Mare Marginis and Mare Smythii (left center).
The far side of the Moon, with Mare Marginis and Mare Smythii visible, photographed by Apollo 16 in 1972. It is much more cratered than the near side of the Moon.
Lunar maria are large, dark, basaltic plains on Earth's Moon, formed by lava flowing into ancient impact basins. They are less reflective than the "highlands" as a result of their iron-rich compositio
Far side of the Moon
…while the opposite location experiences night. The far side is actually more reflective than the near side, as it lacks the large areas of darker maria surface. About 18% of the far side is occasionally visible from Earth due to oscillation and to libration. The remaining 82% remained unobserved until…
Lunar basalt layering exposed
Ancient rift valleys – context.
Ancient rift valleys – closeup (artist's concept).
Irregular mare patch – evidence of young lunar volcanism (12 October 2014)