The earth and its satellite moon are parts and parcels of many wonderful creations. They provide mysterious tales and facts which remain incompletely fathomed and understood by the intelligence of man. Even if they are common sights, they still emit a vastness of miracles that brings forth inconsistent thoughts, awes and discussions. Even if they are perceived with marked differences, they still reserve spaces of sameness that cause a lot of questions and confusions. They give stories on their origin and composition but at the same time they cast marvel on the adventurous insistence of man.
The moon and the earth belong to a family of wonders like the stars, meteors and and galaxies. They have their respective roles and positions in the wilderness and in the outer space. They exist as astronomical masses which endure in space thru tests of time. They project their own or borrowed lights which have brightness and distance that have corresponding number of years of existence. They manifest power, identity and independence that nobody can fully explain. They travel through their own axis and they are guided by their own gravities in order to avoid tragic collisions. They become friendly and respectful to the destinations and movements of other heavenly bodies. With all these, the more they keep the minds of man to wonder and wander.
We get more knowledge, reflection and relevance as we scan more about the moon and the earth. We have learned about the moon to affect the earth’s tides and weather. We understand it as another territory of the earth which was claimed by USA on July 23, 1969.
In terms of our personal experiences, we appreciate those romantic nights when the moon displays its alluring beauty and grandeur. But we still remain in a standstill to fully make use of its existence, by continually analyzing its wonderful rocks and atmosphere.
As for the earth, we seem contented in absorbing the meager knowledge which our nomadic forebears have handed unto us. We colonize, make wars and conquer other lands in order to exploit their natural and human resources. As its immigrants, we don’t even question how it came about, but only to believe in biblical, historical and scientific explanations. With all these gaps, the moon and the earth give us the impression that we are small, to dig into their marvelous presence.
However in layman’s and scientific views, the moon and the earth have differences. The moon is a satellite while the earth is a planet. The earth is 80 times larger than the moon. The moon is 1/4 of the earth’s diameter. The moon has a gravity which is 1/6 of the earth. The earth has water, human beings, animals, vegetation and oxygen while the moon remains to be discovered with its elemental and natural resources. They differ in distance to the sun. And the moon rotates around the earth, while the earth revolves around the sun.
As we come to contemplate, the moon gives us guidance with its changing phases, and it draws inspiration through its splendor and sheen. And the earth teaches us how to survive in it, and it leads us to move on with life which is packed with many promises for the future.
