The Man in the Moon

[Knight of Clear Skies]

Out walking on Saturday I looked up and saw the Man in the Moon for the first time. It makes me wonder: I've been looking at the Moon for years, so why haven't I seen him before? On Saturday it just popped out at me. Perhaps the phase of the Moon helped, or that it was a bright day and I was wearing sunglasses, giving the right level of contrast.

He looks surprised, or perhaps aghast. I suspect I'll be stuck with this image every time I eyeball Luna from now on.

It also got me wondering: how many of you see him and do you have any alternative interpretations?

[Hertford Stargazer]

I've only ever seen him once a few months ago. Like you said, he just appeared when I looked up at the moon while walking the dog one night. Never seen him before and no matter how hard I try I've never seen him since   I think it must have something to do with libration

[SlyReaper]

I've never seen a man in the moon.  Always wondered what people were talking about.

[Treeden]

It's an interesting question.  I've seen photos where the face has been highlighted for emphasis, but I've never seen the chap when I look at the moon itself.

[TwoPi]

It's funny, I've seen it for years around full moon but as soon as I look through binoculars or a finder scope I can't make it out anymore.

I think the right eye is the combination of Serenitatis, Tranquillitatis & Fecunditatis, the left eye is Imbrium and the mouth is Procellarum & Nubium.

If I put a map of the moon on the other side of the room, tilt my head to one side and squint I can just about make it out.

I agree, he never seem to look very happy!

[Astro Imp]

I've never seen a man in the moon.  Always wondered what people were talking about.

Exactly.

[Myopicus]

I have .

"Oh no, Grommit . . . we've forgotten the crackers!"  

[HumptyMoo]

I only started to see him a couple of years ago, to me he always looks a bit like "oooooooh..." as if he's looking at the light pollution and thinking "Where did all that come from, I swear it wasn't there a little while back???"

[jason.p]

I've always been able to see a face on the moon. Just watching it rise now and to me it's very obvious.

Could be I've got an overactive imagination!

[Space Bat]

I just see the crab.....I have tried visualizing the man and just can't see it - I know of what it refers and what/where I should look - but just keep seeing a crab O.o

[Knight of Clear Skies]

I only started to see him a couple of years ago, to me he always looks a bit like "oooooooh..." as if he's looking at the light pollution and thinking "Where did all that come from, I swear it wasn't there a little while back???"

Maybe the poor sod just wants some sleep, or perhaps something else has shocked him... due to tidal locking he has no option of looking away.

Had another look tonight and struggled to pick him out, I could manage it but only because I saw the features a few days ago. The glare of the full moon was a problem, and the phase definitely helped the other day as the Ocean of Storms was hidden, which wrecks the illusion by merging with the mouth.

[Myopicus]

The Japanese see a rabbit.  

[TwoPi]

One ready for the pot by the looks of the second image!

[Scooot]

Just had a look at the moon through the bins and the man in the moon is very visible to me.