If we always see the same side of the Moon, it is because our natural satellite takes the same time to go around itself as it does around the Earth.
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[EN VIDÉO] The transit of the Moon in front of the Earth filmed from space No, this video is not a montage. It is indeed the hidden face of the Moon that is revealed, and in front of the Earth as well… Constructed with a series of images taken by the DSCOVR satellite, this clip gives a point of view that is, to say the least, astonishing of our planet .
The Moon, the Earth’s natural satellite, has a particularity that has always aroused curiosity.
The dark side of the moon
From night to night, whatever the season or the hemisphere from which we observe it, the Moon always shows us the same side. An enigmatic phenomenon? Not really since this is simply due to the fact that its rotation period is equal to its period of revolution, a little over 27 days. In other words, the Moon rotates on itself and, at exactly the same time, around the Earth.
The first men who were able to directly observe the far side of the moon are the crew members ofApollo 8 orbited the moon in 1968.
Periods of rotation and revolution
What might look like a coincidence actually has a physical explanation. This synchronism between periods of rotation and revolution is the result of the tidal forces who practice within the Earth-Moon couple. Millions of years ago, the Moon revolved faster around itself than it did around the Earth. Gradually, the forces of tide have slowed down his movement of rotation until it reaches a point of equilibrium and has the same period as its revolution.
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