We almost always see the same surface when we stare at the moon, the same patterns of craters and cavities, thanks to the way that the moon moves, rotating and revolving around earth So, what about the other surface of our only natural satellite? From our perspective on earth, we always see the same side of the moon, and we know this because if we look at the moon on a regular basis, its phases may change but we always see the same craters and other features. The simple answer (and one that you’ve probably heard before) is that we only see one side of the moon because the moon rotates around the earth at the exact same speed as it rotates around its own axis, so that the same side of the moon is constantly facing the surface of the earth Over billions of years, the earth’s gravity has forced the moon to spin synchronously with its orbit However, things are a bit more complicated than that
Viewed from earth, the moon appears to rock slowly backwards and forwards so that we see a slightly different face throughout the lunar month There are two main reasons for this. The moon orbits earth in synchronous rotation, always keeping the same face toward us Learn how humans have explored the nearside and farside of the moon with space missions and satellites. The moon is tidally locked to earth, meaning it rotates on its axis at the same speed as it orbits earth This results in the moon always showing the same face to earth, and explains the far side and dark side misconceptions.
This synchronous rotation makes us always see the same side of the moon, but we can see more than 50% of its surface due to libration.
OPEN
