Honestly, we’ve been looking at it our whole lives, but most of us still treat the Moon like some static, glowing nightlight. It isn’t. As of early 2026, the moon in space is basically the most high-stakes piece of real estate in the solar system. Right now, as you read this, there are robots up there—some functioning, some definitely "parked" forever—and a crew of four humans is currently in the final stages of training to loop around it next month.
NASA’s Artemis II is scheduled to launch as early as February 2026. This isn't a "maybe one day" thing anymore. Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen are literally about to become the first people to see the lunar far side with their own eyes since 1972.
The "Dark Side" is a Total Lie
Let's clear this up immediately. There is no permanent "dark side" of the Moon.
People say this all the time, and it drives astronomers crazy. The Moon is tidally locked to Earth, meaning it rotates on its axis at the exact same speed it orbits us. Because of this, we only ever see one face—the "near side." But the "far side" gets just as much sun as the side we see. When we have a New Moon and it's dark from our perspective, the far side is actually basking in full, blazing noon.
Wait, it gets weirder. We don't actually see just 50% of the Moon. Thanks to a "wobble" called libration, we actually get to peek around the edges. Over time, a patient observer on Earth can see about 59% of the lunar surface. It’s like the Moon is slightly nodding "yes" and "no" throughout the month.
Why Everyone is Obsessed with the South Pole
If you follow space news, you’ve heard about the South Pole. China’s Chang’e 7 is aiming for it later this year, and private companies like Firefly Aerospace and Intuitive Machines are throwing everything they have at landing there.
Why? Because of the shadows.
Near the poles, there are craters so deep and steep that sunlight hasn't touched the bottom in billions of years. These are called Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs). They are some of the coldest places in the entire universe—colder than the surface of Pluto. And in that cold, there is ice.
Recent data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) suggests this ice isn't just at the very tip of the pole. It’s likely spread out much further, maybe as far as 77 degrees south latitude. We aren't just talking about a few ice cubes, either. Dr. Timothy McClanahan’s team recently found evidence that for every square meter of soil in some areas, there could be five liters of water ice hidden in the top meter of dirt.
Why water matters more than gold:
- Breathable Air: You can split $H_2O$ into oxygen.
- Rocket Fuel: You can turn the hydrogen into liquid fuel.
- Radiation Shielding: Water is great at blocking nasty cosmic rays.
- Drinking: Kinda obvious, but vital if you’re living in a pressurized "hotel" room.
The Great 2026 Lunar Traffic Jam
It’s getting crowded up there. 2026 is officially the year of the "Moon Rush."
Right now, Intuitive Machines is prepping their IM-3 mission for the second half of the year. They’re trying to avoid the "tip-over" issues they had with Odysseus in 2024. Then you’ve got Blue Origin. Jeff Bezos’s company is planning to debut its "Blue Moon" Mark 1 lander. It’s a massive beast, capable of carrying 3,000 kilograms of cargo.
And don't ignore China. They are moving fast. While the US is focused on the Artemis II flyby, China’s Chang’e 7 will be hunting for water with a "flying detector"—basically a mini-drone that can hop into dark craters to sniff out ice.
It’s Not Actually a Sphere
If you want to be "that person" at a dinner party, point out that the Moon isn't round.
It’s an oblate spheroid. Basically, it’s a bit squashed. Even more specifically, it’s sort of gumdrop-shaped. The side facing Earth is slightly larger due to the way Earth’s gravity has tugged on it over millions of years. It’s lopsided.
🔗 Read more: Solar System: What It Actually Is and Why Most People Get It Wrong
Also, the Moon is moving away from us. It’s drifting at about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) per year. In the very distant future, it will look smaller in the sky, and total solar eclipses will become impossible because the Moon won't be big enough to cover the Sun. But don't cancel your 2026 eclipse plans—we’ve got a few hundred million years before that’s a real problem.
Speaking of 2026 Skywatching
If you prefer looking from your backyard rather than a SpaceX Starship, 2026 is a massive year.
- March 3, 2026: A "Blood Moon" total lunar eclipse. It’ll be visible from Western North America, East Asia, and Australia. The Moon turns a weird, rusty red because Earth’s atmosphere scatters the sunlight (basically, you’re seeing every sunrise and sunset on Earth reflected onto the Moon at once).
- August 12, 2026: A total solar eclipse. This is the big one for Europe. The path of totality runs through Iceland and Spain.
- November 24, 2026: A massive Supermoon. This is when the Moon hits "perigee"—its closest point to Earth—at the exact same time it's full. It’ll look about 14% larger and 30% brighter than a "mini-moon."
What Most People Get Wrong About Lunar Gravity
"There’s no gravity in space." You’ve heard it, right?
Total nonsense. Gravity is everywhere. The Moon has about 1/6th the gravity of Earth. If you weigh 180 lbs on Earth, you’d weigh 30 lbs on the Moon. But it’s still there. In fact, gravity is the only reason the Moon stays in orbit.
The "floating" you see on the International Space Station (ISS) isn't because gravity is gone (the ISS actually feels about 90% of Earth's gravity). It’s because the station is in free fall. It’s moving sideways so fast (about 17,500 mph) that as it falls toward Earth, the surface of the planet curves away beneath it. It’s basically "falling" forever.
What’s Next: Your Action Plan
The moon in space is no longer just for poets and NASA scientists. It’s becoming a functional part of our economy. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here’s how to actually track what’s happening this year:
- Watch the Artemis II Launch: Keep an eye on the February 2026 window. This is the "Apollo 8 moment" for our generation. If it succeeds, humans land on the surface in 2027.
- Track the Private Missions: Follow companies like Intuitive Machines and Firefly Aerospace. Their success (or failure) determines if we can actually build a base or if the Moon remains a "look but don't touch" zone.
- Get a Telescope for August: Even a cheap pair of 10x50 binoculars will let you see the lunar craters near the terminator line (the line between day and night). That's where the shadows are longest and the geology looks most dramatic.
- Follow the "Lunar Gateway": This is the mini-space station NASA is building to orbit the Moon. Components are being integrated right now. It will serve as a "gas station" and jumping-off point for Mars.
The Moon isn't just a rock anymore. It’s a bridge. In 2026, we aren't just looking at it—we’re moving back in.