2006-07-15 17:53:02 · 11 answers · asked by Ali R 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
The moon rotates around it's own axis at the same speed at which it revolves around the earth; We see slightly more than one side (180 degrees) of the lunar globe because of the effects of parallax, but, basically, we will never see the dark side of the moon, illuminated by the sun because the only time it faces the earth is when it is facing away from the sun -- therefore it is dark
However, at certain times you can see the dark side lit up by the "earth shine" from a "full earth" (as it would appear from the lunar surface).
2006-07-15 18:01:09 · answer #1 · answered by P. M 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why do some people answer questions who have no business doing so? Trash those answers you've gotten that say the moon doesn't rotate on its axis. That's dead WRONG! The moon rotates on its own axis with a speed of some 10.5 mph at the equator.
The reason we only see one side of the moon from Earth is because one lunar rotation is just about as long as one revolution in its orbit around the Earth.
2006-07-15 18:04:43 · answer #2 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the moon rotated at the same speed as the earth, then it would go around the earth once a day! Imagine the moon is a baby. You pick it up and turn yourself around. The whole time you look into the baby's eyes. You never see the baby's back. The earth and moon are the same way... except the earth spins around 29 times every it turns the moon once.
2006-07-15 18:00:10 · answer #3 · answered by Brand X 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was a kid, conspiracy theorists talked about a secret base on the other side of the moon. I actually got to talk to an astronaut who walked on the moon about it. You know what he told me? He said "Nope, nothin there. You can see it for yourself about once a month."
There are circumlunar satellites that orbit the moon. They are seeing it. There are clubs of earth-bound telescope users who take pictures of various features of the moons surface.
We can see the moon. We can see the whole moon, though its not always illuminated by the sun. Get a pair of binoculars, or a telescope and see for yourself.
2006-07-15 18:11:10 · answer #4 · answered by Curly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put an object on a table and look at it and pretend ur earth now can u see the other side of that object when u stand away from it? nope that is why we cant see the other side of the moon
2006-07-15 17:58:24 · answer #5 · answered by insane3639 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The moon doesnt rotate around on its axis like the earth, its because of the gravity pulling it in its orbit.
2006-07-15 17:58:41 · answer #6 · answered by sa 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not exactly the right answer...the moon doesn't rotate upon its own axis...it does rotate around the earth however.
2006-07-15 17:57:52 · answer #7 · answered by PBROCKS 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's on the other side of us!
The moon keeps the SAME FACE.
It turns equal to the turn!
Strange, but true!
2006-07-15 17:57:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the earth and moon rotate in sync
2006-07-15 17:58:25 · answer #9 · answered by CLBH 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the moon rotates at the same speed as our own earth -- they are in sync
2006-07-15 17:56:12 · answer #10 · answered by theevilfez 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋