Asked by Sara
Why is only one side of the moon visible from the earth at all times?
Only one side of the moon is visible from the earth at all times because the other side is illuminated by the sun, which doesn't face us.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, thanks :-)
Only one side of the moon is visible from the earth at all times because the other side is illuminated by the sun, which doesn't face us.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, thanks :-)
Answers
Answered by
drwls
You are wrong. Think about it.
If the "other side" (facing away from us)was always illuminated by the sun, we would never see a full moon.
We never see the other side because the moon rotates on its axis once a lunar month, always keeping the same side facing Earth. Asronomers say the rotation period is "locked" to the orbital period.
This not unusual in astronomy when the bodies are not perfect spheres.
If the "other side" (facing away from us)was always illuminated by the sun, we would never see a full moon.
We never see the other side because the moon rotates on its axis once a lunar month, always keeping the same side facing Earth. Asronomers say the rotation period is "locked" to the orbital period.
This not unusual in astronomy when the bodies are not perfect spheres.
Answered by
Sara
Thank you so much drwls:-)
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