Licchavi Lyceum

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Licchavi Lyceum

Why do we see only one side of the moon always?

Lets explain Why do we see only one side of the moon always? The Moon is tidally locked to the Earth, which means that it rotates on its axis at the same rate it orbits the Earth. As a result, the same side of the Moon always faces the Earth, and we only see one side of the Moon. This phenomenon is known as synchronous rotation.

Why do we see only one side of the moon always
Earth and Moon

The gravitational interaction between the Earth and the Moon has caused the Moon’s rotation period to synchronize with its orbital period. In other words, it takes the same amount of time for the Moon to complete one rotation on its axis as it does to orbit the Earth. This synchronous rotation ensures that one hemisphere of the Moon is constantly facing our planet.

The side of the Moon that is not visible from Earth is often referred to as the “far side” or “dark side,” although it receives just as much sunlight as the side facing us. This gravitational locking is a common phenomenon in the solar system and occurs in various moon-planet systems.