mooncentered

Mooncentered is a term used to describe a broad set of perspectives, projects, and communities that place the Moon as the central reference point in cultural, scientific, or practical contexts. It is not a single organization, but a label that has appeared in discussions of lunar exploration, education, and speculative fiction.

Origins and scope

The term emerged in online communities and academic discourse in the 2010s as interest in near-term lunar science and sustainable Moon missions grew. It has since been used across disciplines to frame activities around the Moon rather than Earth-centric or Sun-centric viewpoints. Mooncentered thinking can influence calendars, design principles, and narrative themes by foregrounding lunar cycles and phenomena.

Concepts and applications

A Mooncentered approach may favor lunar-centric calendars, patterns derived from the Moon’s orbit and phases, and emphasis on Moon science such as selenography, regolith studies, and resource utilization. In culture, it can guide art, storytelling, and mythmaking around eclipses, tides, and lunar illumination. In planning and engineering, Mooncentered practices prioritize accessibility to the lunar surface, surface operations, and habitat concepts aligned with lunar environments and mission architectures.

Practice and reception

Educational programs, museums, and outreach initiatives sometimes adopt Mooncentered curricula or exhibit themes to engage audiences with lunar science. Critics argue that while Mooncentered thinking offers a useful organizing heuristic, it should complement rather than replace broader Earth-centered or solar system perspectives.

See also

Lunar studies, Selenography, Lunar exploration, Lunar calendars.