Why is only one side of the moon visible from Earth?

1 Answer
Samantha Thompson
Apr 6, 2018

Only one side of the Moon is visible from Earth because the Moon rotates on its axis at the same rate that the Moon orbits the Earth.

Explanation:

This is a situation known as synchronous rotation or tidal locking. The Moon is directly illuminated by the Sun, and the cyclically varying viewing conditions cause the lunar phases.

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