Gistunar

Gistunar is a term referring to the stars and constellations that are visible from the surface of the Moon. The term is often used interchangeably with "nearside ecliptic constellation", although it specifically describes the visible stars and constellations from a lunar perspective.

The Gistunar is constituted by 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). These constellations are a combination of those visible from the Earth and others that are specifically visible from the Moon's surface. The primary difference between the two lies in the altitude of certain celestial bodies that become visible on the lunar horizon while remaining invisible from Earth.

Observations of the Gistunar have been conducted as early as the 19th century, primarily to study the adaptability and influence of lunar observational techniques. These studies involved adapting Earth-based astronomical equipment for lunar use, while also developing algorithms to account for the Moon's unique gravitational and observational conditions.

With the advent of more sophisticated telescopes and lunar missions, modern studies of the Gistunar have expanded to include comprehensive mapping and observation projects. As a result, significant knowledge has been gained about variations in lunar constellation visibility depending on the lunar cycle and lunar libration.

Research on the Gistunar continues, owing mainly to the continuous exploration of the Moon and its environment. This generation and distribution of lunar astronomical maps investigate the environmental properties on extreme-location activity.