<sod>The Moon is in [[synchronous rotation]] with Earth, always showing the same face, with its [[near side of the Moon|near side]] marked by dark volcanic [[lunar mare|maria]] that fill the spaces between the bright ancient crustal highlands and the prominent [[impact crater]]s. It is the second-brightest regularly visible [[celestial object]] in Earth's sky after the [[Sun]]. Its surface is actually dark, although compared to the night sky it appears very bright, with a [[reflectance]] just slightly higher than that of worn [[Asphalt concrete|asphalt]]. Its prominence in the sky and its regular cycle of [[lunar phases|phases]] have made the Moon an important [[Culture|cultural]] influence since [[Ancient history|ancient]] times on [[Moon#Name and etymology|language]], [[Lunar calendar|calendar]]s, [[Moon in fiction|art]], [[Lunar deity|mythology]], and apparently, the menstrual cycles of the female of the human species.<eod>
<sod>The Moon is in [[synchronous rotation]] with Earth, always showing the same face, with its [[near side of the Moon|near side]] marked by dark volcanic [[lunar mare|maria]] that fill the spaces between the bright ancient crustal highlands and the prominent [[impact crater]]s. It is the second-brightest regularly visible [[celestial object]] in Earth's sky after the [[Sun]], as measured by [[illuminance]] on Earth's surface. Its surface is actually dark, although compared to the night sky it appears very bright, with a [[reflectance]] just slightly higher than that of worn [[Asphalt concrete|asphalt]]. Its prominence in the sky and its regular cycle of [[lunar phases|phases]] have made the Moon an important [[Culture|cultural]] influence since [[Ancient history|ancient]] times on [[Moon#Name and etymology|language]], [[Lunar calendar|calendar]]s, [[Moon in fiction|art]], [[Lunar deity|mythology]], and apparently, the menstrual cycles of the female of the human species.<eod>