["< 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, [ [ the moon in fiction | art ] ], [ [ lunar deity | mythology ] ], and apparently, the menstrual cycles of the female of the human species. < eod >"]