Does the moon spin on its axis?

Question

Does the moon spin on its axis?

Answer 1

Yes, it rotates at the same speed that it orbits the Earth, which is why we always see the same side (there is a slight variation in it, so we're actually able to see about 55% of the Moon's surface over the course of a month, but that's nitpicking).  Consider: if the Moon didn't rotate on its axis, then as it revolved around the Earth, we'd gradually see its entire surface over the course of the month.

That means that the phrase "dark side of the Moon" is really a misnomer, since during a new moon it's the near side that's dark and the far side that's lit up.

Answer 2

Yes, the moon does rotate on its axis. It rotates at the same rate in which it orbits the Earth... at about 29 days. This is why we only see one side of the moon.

Answer 3

Yes. It rotates on its axis in the same amount of time it takes to orbit the Earth, which is why the same side is always facing us.

Answer 4

Yes.  If you were to put a magic television camera over the Moon's north pole that followed it wherever, and remained "fixed" in orientation relative to space, it would show the Moon rotating.  The fact that it takes one trip around the Earth for every time it spins creates a sort of perceptual illusion that it doesn't turn.

The Moon's rotation is a constant speed, but because its orbit around Earth is elliptical, it scoots along faster at some times than at others, because of Kepler's laws.  This means that sometimes its orbital progress is slightly ahead of the spin, and you get to see part of one side.  And at the opposite the progress is slightly behind and you get to see a bit of the other side; but the averages work out.

That motion is part of the phenomenon called libration.

Answer 5

Yes, once every 29.53 days, relative to the sun.  Once every 27.32 days, relative to the stars.

Answer 6

I think you can determine the answer to your question form the heavy volume and nearly unanimous explanations in the answers section.  I just wanted to add a visual to "Clavius's" explaination...

http://a967.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/ima...

Answer 7

The moon spins at the exact rate it orbits the earth.  It is called being " tidally locked "

Answer 8

Yes the moon spins on an axis. However, because it is tidally locked to the earth, we only see one face of it and so it appears that it doesn't spin.

Answer 9

The other answers indicate spinning, I've often wondered the same thing so maybe we are looking at it's north or south pole. This is very interesting and I hope it is resolved accurately...james the hollow earth man