Resources for Learning about the Moon
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
The Artemis Program - Humanity's Return to the Moon Overview
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
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
Explore the Moon with Binoculars: Workbook
Explore the Moon with a Small Telescope: Workbook
50 Things to See on the Moon, by John A. Read
50 choses à voir sur la Lune, par John A. Read
50 Things to See with a Telescope: Activity Workbook, by John A. Read
NativeSkywatchers - Indigenous Moons Booklet
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 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!
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
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Sketching the Moon Crater Images | 695.92 KB |
| Explore the Universe - Lunar Targets.pdf | 1.34 MB |
| Crater Sketching 101.pdf | 660.63 KB |
 The-Moon-in-numbers-–-Infographic.jpg | 7.48 MB |
| Lunar Gateway - Infographic.jpg | 115.4 KB |
| Artemis I Mission Map - Infographic.jpg | 128.78 KB |
| Moon Gazer's Guide Colour | 2.82 MB |
| Moon Gazers Guide B&W.pdf | 2.92 MB |
| Moon Gazer Guide (French) | 4.71 MB |
