It's true that we see dark shapes on the moon, and they're called maria (singular: mare).

However, these aren't actually "shapes" like we might see on Earth. Here's why:

* They're flat plains: Maria are vast, dark plains of solidified volcanic basalt. They were formed by ancient volcanic eruptions, which flowed across the lunar surface, creating these smooth, dark areas.

* They reflect less light: The basalt in the maria is darker and smoother than the surrounding lunar highlands, which are made of lighter, rougher rock. This difference in composition means they reflect less sunlight, making them appear darker.

* They're not shadows: The dark appearance of maria is not caused by shadows. They appear dark even when the moon is fully illuminated.

So, while we see them as "dark shapes," they are actually large, flat, volcanic plains that are darker than the surrounding lunar highlands.