Why does the same side of the moon always face the earth?
2007-01-23 10:36:06 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
That is because the moon spins on its axis at exactly the same rate that it revolves around the earth.
The Moon's tidal deformation caused it to enter into a synchronous orbit long ago; the Moon is tidally locked to the Earth.
http://physics.fortlewis.edu/Astronomy/astronomy%20today/CHAISSON/AT308/HTML/AT30803.HTM
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2007-01-23 10:40:53 · answer #1 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. The earth rotates which is the explanation of why time exists. Don't you notice there are times when the moon is not visible (daylight). If someone WAS on the moon, they would see the earth rotate and could only see the same spot on earth once every 24 (earth) hours.
2016-05-24 02:05:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is because the moon is lopsided in mass so the heavy side is held to face the earth by gravity . It is called gravity gradient . This is why the moon rotates at exactly one revolution every 28 days.
2007-01-23 11:21:42 · answer #3 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the same side always faces the earth because it is held in by the planets gravitaional pull just like anything else that orbits earth. and it actually does spin it rotates once every revolution of the earth.
2007-01-23 10:57:21 · answer #4 · answered by burner0096 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it rotates once for every revolution. So the same side is always toward us.
2007-01-23 10:43:31 · answer #5 · answered by Gene Rocks! 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cause it is not rotating it self, It is caused by earth's gravity so earth's magnetic field can't do anything do rotate moon itself only make it orbit aroung earth.
2007-01-23 10:41:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋