The Moon diary of Useless
Useless is the network’s eraser-in-residence. After owls, hedgehogs, bees, sharks, a T. rex and a spell at Mars mission control, it has been looking up at night. Every fact in here has been checked by someone more qualified, i.e. anyone.
- Night 1
If Earth were a nickel, the Moon would be a green pea. I tried this with a real pea. Then I ate the Moon. Sorry everyone. NASA Science: Moon facts
- Night 2
The Moon is slowly drifting away from us, about an inch a year. Same as my friends when I start talking about rubbers. NASA Science: Moon facts
- Night 3
On the Moon I could jump about six times higher. I’m an eraser. Six times nothing is still nothing. I’m going anyway. NASA Science: Top Moon questions
- Night 4
There’s no dark side of the Moon. The far side gets just as much sun. Somebody please tell the rock bands. NASA Science: Top Moon questions
- Night 5
When Eagle landed there were only 30 seconds of fuel left. I once parked a toy car with 30 seconds of batteries left. Nobody filmed it. NASA: July 20, 1969, One Giant Leap for Mankind
- Night 6
Moonquakes can last over 10 minutes. I wobble for about that long after a fizzy drink. NASA Science: Moonquakes
- Night 7
Moonlight is just sunlight bouncing off grey rock. So technically every romantic moonlit walk was a sunlit walk. You’re welcome. NASA Science: Top Moon questions
- Night 8
The Moon’s ‘seas’ are old lava, not water. I packed a bucket and spade. I feel silly now. NASA Space Place: All about the Moon
- Night 9
Moon dust is finer than a human hair. I’m an eraser. I make dust for a living. Respect to the professionals. NASA Science: What the Moon is made of
- Night 10
Spring tides have nothing to do with spring. I waited all year for one. Turns out they come twice a month. NASA Science: Tides
- Night 11
Twelve people have walked on the Moon. I’ve walked on a map of the Moon. They’re not counting it. NASA Science: Who has walked on the Moon?
- Night 12
There’s no wind or air on the Moon to ‘erase’ its craters. I’m an eraser. I have never felt so unemployed. NASA Space Place: All about the Moon
- Night 13
The Moon is less than a third of Earth’s width. I’m less than a third of a pencil’s length. We have a lot in common, me and the Moon. NASA Science: Moon facts
- Night 14
Everyone on Earth sees the same Moon phase. In Australia it’s just upside down. Like me after a tumble off the desk. NASA Science: Top Moon questions
- Night 15
A month from new Moon to new Moon is 29.53 days. I’ve tried to make my pocket money last that long. Got to day 3. NASA NSSDC: Moon fact sheet
- Night 16
Galileo found four moons round Jupiter, and suddenly ours needed a name. It got ‘the Moon’. Some of us got ‘Useless’. I’m not bitter. NASA Science: Moon facts