Does the moon rotate on its axis like the planets?

Question

How long does it take to rotate and why do we only see one side?

Answer 1

Yes, in fact the rotation period for the moon is exactly the same as it's rotation period around the earth. It is this fact that keeps the moons face always pointing towards the earth.

Answer 2

Yes, the Moon does rotate on its axis. According to the website I found, "Both the rotation of the Moon and its revolution around Earth takes 27 days, 7 hours, and 43 minutes."

Answer 3

The rotation of the moon on its own axis with respect to the sun is slightly more than 29.5 days. It is not a coincidence that the moon's rotation around the earth, but is the direct result of the gravitational interaction of the earth-moon system. Mercury, for example, has this property in respect of its orbit around the sun. Venus, believe it or not, has a synchronization of its orbit and the "face: it shows to earth because of the gravitational interaction of Venus and earth.

HTH

Charles

Answer 4

Yes, but it takes 27 earth days to complete the rotation on it's axis

Answer 5

Yes, definately.
By sheer coincidence the *rate* of rotation is nearly the same as the orbital period. So, as the moon goes around the earth one orbit, it also rotates once.
Thus, the moon always keeps about the same face facing earth.

Answer 6

yes it rotates on its axis, you can not see the whole sphere anymore then you can see the back of your television while you watch the front

Answer 7

Yes. It makes one revolution every four weeks.

Answer 8

Yes.

THat's why we can only see one side of it from the earth.

Answer 9

yes, so "The dark side of the moon" doesn't really exist!

Answer 10

yes