Torn from Planet Earth by a violent collision, more that 4 billion years ago, the moon's cratered face attests to its traumatic childhood. Yet, in more recent times, our lone satellite has become a cherished feature of the night sky, a beautiful and tranquil companion that has long inspired mankind.
Unlike the sun, that hurls intense light, stifling heat and ionic waves in our direction, the moon is a calm, reflective body, changing its face but not its mood throughout its monthly cycle. Nevertheless, it has played an important role in the evolution of Earth's ecosystems, stabilizing the axis of our planet and producing the tides that, 400 million years ago, allowed life to colonize the land, and, today, provide vital nourishment to coastal habitats.
On the last two mornings, I watched as the full moon dropped below the western horizon. Unaccompanied by the colorful skies and changing light of a sunset, the moon departs with little fanfare but we will look for her when the darkness returns. Afterall, throughout most of human history, the moon was our nightlight, a source of reassurance amidst the turmoil and uncertaintly of our fragile existence.
