2006-11-26 11:25:47 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It spins roughly at the speed it orbits earth. I believe there is a slight "wobble" in the spin which enables astronomers to see about 3/4 of the moon over time.
If it spun at the same speed as the earth, the spin would have no effect on earth, but it would cause the moon to get hot inside because of the tidal effect.
The tidal effect acts like a brake.
2006-11-26 11:45:57 · answer #1 · answered by Bad bus driving wolf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The moon does spin on its axis. It takes the moon exactly the same number of days to spin once upon its axis as it does to revolve once around Earth.
2006-11-26 19:31:16 · answer #2 · answered by bldudas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it does spin on its axis.
It is just that the spin and the length of time for the moon to go around the earth are exactly the same amount of time.
The reason is that the moon has its more massive side turned towards the earth, which locks it into that synchronization.
2006-11-26 19:29:11 · answer #3 · answered by Alan Turing 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does spin on its axis, as evidenced by the fact that we can only see one side! The Moon is orbiting the Earth, so if it did not rotate we would be able to see all the sides of it. Since its period of rotation is equal to its period of revolution, it is called a tidally locked orbit.
2006-11-26 19:28:44 · answer #4 · answered by poorcocoboiboi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does spin on its axis but 1 rev. every 28 earth days.
2006-11-26 20:38:43 · answer #5 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does. It just spins at the same rate that it goes around the earth. This is because tidal forces have slowed it down to that state.
2006-11-26 19:27:54 · answer #6 · answered by mathematician 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the moon were to spin, it would tend to move closer as it would release the heat with a slower orbital speed.
2006-11-26 20:08:17 · answer #7 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The moon does rotate on it's axis. Once per day. That is why we only see one side of it.
2006-11-26 19:33:41 · answer #8 · answered by Ranger473 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it does spin, but it spins as fast as it rotates around Earth, so we never see the other side of the moon.
2006-11-26 19:27:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
it does, but it spins at exactly the same rate as the earth, so doesnt look like it.
2006-11-26 19:27:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋