The Moon rotates once around its axis in the same amount of time it completes a full orbit of the Earth. In other words, the Moon's rotational period and its orbital period are equal. This is called synchronous rotation.
But for me it feel not so nature, rather more artificial when "Moon's rotational period and its orbital period are equal" Think about it! In nature never have 2 things that are identical. There's no such 2 watchs that can run exactly the same. With time they will run slightly different in couple seconds. But the Moon's rotational period and its orbital period are identical for thousands of year still. Is it strange??
The asymmetric nature of this gravitational interaction is also responsible for the fact that the Moon rotates synchronously, i.e. it is locked in phase with its orbit so that the same side is always facing toward the Earth. Just as the Earth's rotation is now being slowed by the Moon's influence so in the distant past the Moon's rotation was slowed by the action of the Earth, but in that case the effect was much stronger. When the Moon's rotation rate was slowed to match its orbital period (such that the bulge always faced toward the Earth) there was no longer an off-center torque on the Moon and a stable situation was achieved. The same thing has happened to most of the other satellites in the solar system. Eventually, the Earth's rotation will be slowed to match the Moon's period, too, as is the case with Pluto and Charon.
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2007-10-24 10:57:33
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answer #1
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answered by atiq 2
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It's an effect called tidal locking. Essentially, the effect of gravity deforms the moon enough so that we cause a net torque on the moon. This torque tends to slow it down to match with our rotational cycle (because the Moon is also deforming us, albeit on a smaller level). The combination causes the moon to face us, or relatively us facing the moon. Many moons of larger bodies show similar effects (Jupiter, Saturn).
2007-10-24 03:53:26
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answer #2
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answered by kain2396 3
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Just imagine the moon is fixed at the end of the minute hand of such a big clock.It just revolves around the earth without a separate rotation of its own.
2007-10-26 03:20:56
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answer #3
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answered by karikalan 7
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definite. To us, the following on earth, we in simple terms see the single part even if it truly is darkish, gentle, finished, 0.5, quarter, and so on. you fairly ought to leaf by a telescope...you do not fairly even go with an extremely reliable one because you're searching on the Moon. in simple terms locate the Moon even as it truly is amazingly on the fringe of New section so that you spot as little of the lit up area of the Moon as attainable. The more suitable gentle on the Moon, the harder it truly is to do what i'm suggesting it truly is to attempt to view the hidden or "unseen" area of the moon. i'm effective i'm conserving the fairly glaring yet once you could in simple terms see area of the Moon, in case you seem fairly complicated (in simple terms with the bare eye) you will see some thing else of the moon as a touch smaller black circle. it truly is slightly smaller because the gentle from the solar is making it seem larger by the point the meditated gentle receives to us a million second later. besides, attempt to view the Moon, even a sturdy pair of binoculars would paintings, with very just about no gentle coming from it and also you may stumble on it has an similar "guy's face" markings that you spot even as it truly is done or just about finished. there is an extremely small variance that does ensue in the time of the Month and year (Lunar Month being 28 days) and year is approximate to that end, I in simple terms recommend over a number of Months. so that you'll, with a telescope, see perchance fifty 5% of the total Moon's floor. you've gotten the skill to ensure different aspects of the Moon from different aspects of the international. It in simple terms spins when it comes to Earth so completely that an similar area of the international sees an similar area of the Moon. extraordinary, Huh?
2016-10-22 22:32:06
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answer #4
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answered by ? 4
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Because the orbit of the moon is in exact synchronization with it's rotation period.
It takes 28 days to orbit the earth and it takes 28 days to rotate about it's own axis.
2007-10-24 03:13:43
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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The moon revolves around the earth and does not rotate
2007-10-24 18:47:27
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answer #6
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answered by shek 1
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Because it's rotation on it's axis takes the same time as it's revolution around the earth.
2007-10-24 03:13:56
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answer #7
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answered by Philly 2
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its rotating itself and around earth. It is not the same side, we are seeing always
2007-10-24 03:24:50
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answer #8
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answered by Vinod K 2
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See you on the dark side of the moon.
2007-10-24 03:16:12
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answer #9
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answered by Fuzzybutt 7
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you have to go to the other side to See it.
2007-10-24 03:33:14
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answer #10
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answered by sathyanarayanan k 2
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