how would this affect our observation of the moon?
2007-02-23 05:10:58 · 9 answers · asked by m.m 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Well... The moon rotates on its axis every 28 days, whereas the earth does so every 24 hours.
What you may be referring to is that the period that the moon revolves in orbit around the earth is equal to the rate of rotation on its axis. The consequence is that the same face of the moon is always visible from the earth.
If the moon had a 24-hour day, we would see the entire face of the moon over a 28 day period as it goes through the cycle of new to full to new. If the full moon is out an average of 12 hours as viewed from the earth's equator, the side of the moon visible at moonrise would be on the "back" side of visible moon at moonset, 180 degrees rotated.
2007-02-23 05:29:13 · answer #1 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It probably was back when it formed, but over time has as gotten 'tidally locked' by gravity.
If it were exactly equal to Earth's rotation, we would see most of the surface in a single night, as it turned 180 degrees between rising and setting. However, there would be a portion we would never see, although poeple on the other side of Earth could see that part, but not a small part we see. Confusing?
If it were not exactly equal to Earth's rotation, it's the same except everyone would get to see the whole surface over time, but there would still be a part you could not see in a single night.
Also the moon would look different, because one side would not have been favored over the other as far as meteor impacts go.
2007-02-23 05:47:08 · answer #2 · answered by fresh2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If that happened, we would be able to see all of the Moon from Earth depending where we were located. Some parts of Earth would only see one side, like we do now, while the rest would see all of the Moon.
2007-02-23 05:28:02 · answer #3 · answered by bldudas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Then we would see the other side of the moon if we went to different places on earth. As it is now, we can only see one side of the moon. The other side has been seen by astronauts and satellites.
2007-02-23 05:21:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In that case,a place on Earth would always see the same part of the moon at all times. This would be because one side would always be facing the same part of the earth.
Obviously then, scientists would have been able to observe the other parts of the moon only by space observations or by sending satellites. These days, strong telescopes are good enough to study all the parts of the moon.
2007-02-23 05:17:58 · answer #5 · answered by Nishaant 3 · 0⤊ 5⤋
If the moon rotated in 24 hours, we'd get a view of its entire area.
2007-02-23 05:13:25 · answer #6 · answered by Gene 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There would be a full moon all the time and each half of the world would constantly see its own half without seeing the other half or side.
2007-02-23 05:28:59 · answer #7 · answered by Digida 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is now, because we always see the same side of the moon.
2007-02-23 05:56:36 · answer #8 · answered by bprice215 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
N k your are so wrong it is not funny!
2007-02-23 05:42:12 · answer #9 · answered by wally 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋