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-   -   Moon axis (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=307446)

  • Jan 22, 2009, 11:07 PM
    sandraf46
    Moon axis
    Does the moon rotate on an axis like the earth?
  • Jan 23, 2009, 07:44 AM
    Capuchin

    Yes, this is why we only see one side of the moon - it rotates at the same rate as it orbits.
  • Jan 25, 2009, 07:36 AM
    sarnian
    The moon rotates around it's own axis while it orbits planet earth.
    The moon's rotation is "in synch" with the orbit around earth (1 rotation during 1 orbit).
    That is why we see only one side of the moon from earth.

    It is interesting to note that although the moon orbits planet earth , planet earth also wobbles around their common path (called "barycenter") around the sun.

    Link to barycenter animation earth-moon path around the sun.

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