Why are the stars visible where the moon would normally block them out?

Guess I should have specified this in the OP. But, I overlaid a 'noise' filter on top of the image, for an artistic effect. There are no stars (visible) in this image. Sorry for the confusion.

Was just wondering if I was really seeing that too.

It looks a bit like your lens was dirty/dusty tbh.

Thanks for your input.

I quite like it personally. There are "clean" BW photos of the moon everywhere, but this one looks kind of unique. It also looks like it's an analog picture taken a long time ago with some very expensive piece of equipment at the time, but you can say you actually took it with your handheld mirrorless!

You know when I was editing and creating it. I didn't really think about it like that. But your right, and I think that's why I like it so much. It does have a nostalgic feel to it. Glad you enjoyed it as well.

If you told people it was shot in 1969 they'd probably believe you ;) that's what makes it so cool IMO.