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Does anyone know why the moon doesn't rotate?

Grassy 5 May 1
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9 comments

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1

It would get dizzy?

0

The moon does one rotation per one orbit around the earth.

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I am not an expert, but my understanding is

When the iron core of the moon solidified it did so fixing the magnetism to always point to the earth's molten iron core, so the same side of the moon always faces the earth. The moon does technically rotate, as it circles the earth.

The moon when created was much closer to the earth, and ht earth's rotation ws faster. As the moon moves gradually away fromt eh earth the earth's rotation slowed, much like how when an ice-skater pulls in tight they rotate quickly but when they extend the slow down. It is the fixed magnetism of the moon that works like a tether linking the earth and moon and controllign the speed of the earth's rotation.

Theoretically, the moon would eventually gain enough distance to spin off into space as a rogue moon, but by that time the sun will have enlarged to a point to encompass the earth's orbit.

1

It's tidally locked with Earth. I know this.
Each side experiences two weeks of sun, and two weeks of dark, but the same side is always facing Earth. This I'm not one hundred percent sure of. I think it's fact, but I'm not an expert on this subject.

You're correct.

@bigpawbullets Ah thanks! I remember that from a conversation I heard some professors were talking about on a university tour.

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See, this is what I love about this site. People go look at expert sites, then post their answer, or their new and improved answer.

1

It does! Not much by way of astronomy that doesn't.

Kimba Level 7 May 2, 2018
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it does rotate, if it didn't we would see more of it, it actually has to rotate in order to keep the same side facing us. It just rotate in synch with our spin

Actually it rotates in sync with its orbit around us not our spin.

@Kimba yes you are so correct, I was picturing in my head, but that would mean the moon would have to orbit daily, rather than monthly, that would be scary.. Thanks.

2

Had an argument with Earth and turned its back on it .....not stopped sulking

0

Its core not sufficiently massive to generate a magnetic field.....and it actually rotates ...one revolution per month.....

huey Level 3 May 2, 2018
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