Doesn't the moon also rotate on its own axis like Earth does? If that's the case, surely we can see all the "sides" of the moon at one time or another.
2007-01-12 09:34:03 · 15 answers · asked by whitequeen2000 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The moon rotates at the exact same rate the the earth rotates, so the same side is always facing the earth. (Thank you, I learned something from your question)
Through space exploration, we have seen the backside of the moon. Some were unmanned craft, and the Apollo landings, the lunar lander always landed on the side facing the earth, but the Apollo ship orbited the moon.
2007-01-12 09:48:37 · answer #1 · answered by srrl_ferroequinologist 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
No The Full Moons The Half Moons And Every Other Moons Shows Us Both Side Especially The Blue Moon The Moon That Comes Right After 5 Straight Full Moons
2007-01-12 14:41:30 · answer #2 · answered by Jon Civil 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The moon rotates on it's axis at the same rate as it orbits the earth so we always see one side. We didn't know what the other side looked like until we sent a rocket round with a TV camera.
2007-01-12 09:37:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The Moon rotates exactly once per revolution of the Earth which is the reason why it shows only one face at the Earth. Hope this helps
2007-01-12 09:38:18 · answer #4 · answered by julianewcombe999 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because of tidal locking the same side of the moon always faces the Earth. We can see a bit more than 50% of the moon though because it "nods" as it orbits us. This is called nutation.
2007-01-13 00:10:04 · answer #5 · answered by Iridflare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. The side of the moon we see is always facing toward us... that is why the features of the moon always look the same to us.
The moon used to be much, much closer to Earth, and gravity altered its rotation such that it always faces the Earth in the same way.
http://www.space-encounters.com/modules.php?name=FAQ&myfaq=yes&id_cat=3&categories=Astronomy
This is actually the norm for most moons in our solar system. They rotate once per orbital cycle.
http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/980218b.html
2007-01-12 09:40:53 · answer #6 · answered by evolver 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. But more curiously, why does the moon rotate at the exact same rate it revolves around the Earth? How did that happen? Seems like that would be rare. Anyone?
2007-01-12 09:50:03 · answer #7 · answered by surfdodger 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes we only see one side of the moon
2007-01-12 09:41:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
the same side of the moon always faces earth
2007-01-12 10:34:47 · answer #9 · answered by rosie recipe 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is true. Moon rotates around it's axis with the same period as it rotates around Earth.
2007-01-12 09:36:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋