• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Zippy Facts

Zippy Facts

Interesting Random Facts

Why Does the Moon Always Show the Same Face To the Earth and Are Moons of Other Planets Similar?

By Karen Hill

Many researchers think the phenomenon of the moon showing the same face, called gravitational phase locking, occurs because of the uneven distribution of matter in the bodies involved.

Why Does the Moon Always Show the Same Same Face To the Earth and Are Moons of Other Planets Similar?

Normally, when two bodies join in holy matrimony and decide to go around together forever, their spins would stay what they were beforehand.

But because they may be a little heavier on one side than another, over long periods the gravitational pull of one body on the other tends to slow down or speed up each one in response to the other.

If a moon has a bulge, for example, the bulge would be attracted to the planet it orbits.

The smaller body would eventually settle down with its bulge facing the larger one, its rotational period and revolutionary period would be the same.

Related

  • How Does the Moon Always Keep the Same Face Toward Earth?
  • How Is Earth Different From Other Planets In the Solar System and How Is Earth Similar To Venus?
  • What Are the Differences Between Planets and Stars and How Are Stars and Planets Similar?
  • What Are the Characteristics of the Inner Planets In Our Solar System and How Are the Inner Planets Similar?
  • Why Do We Send New Probes To the Same Planets and How Many New Moons Did Voyager 1 Discover Orbiting Jupiter?
  • Does the Moon Have an Atmosphere and Is the Moon's Atmosphere Similar To Earth's Atmosphere?

Filed Under: Science

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Accomplishments Animals Culture Finance Firsts Food Geography Health History Inventions Language Law Mythology Odds People Plants Religion Science Space The World Universe Your Body

About · Privacy · Contact
Copyright © 2019 Zippy Facts