Does the moon rotate on its own axis?
2007-01-14 09:50:41 · 9 answers · asked by junglist_masiv2000 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Yes, it does. And it rotates at exactly the same speed it orbits.
Most natural satelites have this property and it is the result of something called 'Tidal Locking'. Just like the fluid mass of the Earth's oceans is pulled towards the Moon, the heavier side of the Moon is pulled towards Earth. The Moon may not have started with a matching orbital and rotational speed, but tidal locking acts as a sort of brake until their speeds match.
2007-01-14 10:25:48 · answer #1 · answered by socialdeevolution 4 · 8⤊ 1⤋
I think if the moon is always giving the same "face" to the earth (the near side of the moon) then the axis of it rotation should be the earth. no?
2007-01-14 11:27:35 · answer #2 · answered by chess_e4_pr 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Just to clarify, it is NOT an incredible coincidence. The mass of the moon is not evenly distributed. The more massive side is always facing the Earth and both are attracted to each other by the gravitational force between them.
Due to this affect, the Moon makes one rotation per orbit around the Earth.
2007-01-14 10:03:44 · answer #3 · answered by gebobs 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
the moon rotates on its axis around the earth.
2007-01-18 09:28:59 · answer #4 · answered by ~♥Diana♥~ 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes, the moon does rotate once a lunar month. It doens't appear to be rotating to us because it's orbiting around us at the same rate.
2007-01-14 09:57:17 · answer #5 · answered by Scythian1950 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It sure does! At its equator, the moon rotates at 10.3 mph. It also rotates around the Earth at 2,286 mph. These two velocities are such that we can only see one side of the moon.
2007-01-14 10:36:32 · answer #6 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
the style of the moon looks to modify in a repeating cycle even as seen from the Earth because the quantity of illuminated moon we see varies, relying on the moon's position in words of the Earth and the solar. We see the finished moon even as the solar is promptly in the back of us, illuminating an finished hemisphere of the moon even as that's promptly in the front persons. the hot moon, even as the moon is darkened, occurs even as the moon is virtually promptly between Earth and the solar—the solar's gentle illuminates in trouble-free words the a ways aspect of the moon (the aspect we are able to not see from Earth
2016-10-31 02:39:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello =)
Through some incredible coincidence, the moon's rotation is almost entirely in harmony with its revolution....
Thus, the same side of the moon always faces the earth.....
Rather amazing, isn't it.....??
This has led humans to ponder, however, that some sort of alien menace has always been hiding on the other side......and, if an alien menace wanted to, it would be the perfect place...LOL
Namaste,
--Tom
2007-01-14 09:58:30 · answer #8 · answered by glassnegman 5 · 1⤊ 5⤋
No. The moon does not rotate.
2007-01-14 09:55:33 · answer #9 · answered by Mr. Sir 5 · 2⤊ 7⤋