Dark Side of the Moon: Exploring Nature's Mystery

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In summary: And again, the force of Earth's gravity on the near-side is greater than that on the far-side (because of the distance).
  • #1
richbass
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Here's another observation of nature

"I don't think the moon's spin cancels it's orbit (causing the same side to face us) by tidal forces or by accident. That would be one big coincidence. I think that the moon's center of gravity is offset from it's center point along it's diameter. So "The heavy side faces us"

Is this mentioned somewhere? I couldn't find it. If not does anyone agree that this could be possible?" or am I again "out of my mind"?
 
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  • #2
No, it's not by "accident" nor does it follow that one side must be heavier than the other- the moon is "tidally locked" to the earth. Why do you say you don't think it could be caused by tidal forces? That's certainly not a coincidence!

Do you understand what is meant by "tidally locked"? It has nothing to do with the tides on earth- more to do with "tides" on the moon!

Here is a good explanation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_locking
 
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  • #3
It is not just the heavier side facing us.
It's more complicated than that. It has to do with the quadrupole moment of the moon due to non-spherically symmetric distribution of it's mass.
 
  • #4
Meir Achuz said:
It is not just the heavier side facing us.
It's more complicated than that. It has to do with the quadrupole moment of the moon due to non-spherically symmetric distribution of it's mass.

non-spherically symmetric distribution of it's mass? Doesn't that mean it's center of gravity is offset from it's center of mass?
 
  • #5
No, the moon is basically football-shaped (an ellipsoid) and since the force of Earth's gravity on the near-side is greater than that on the far-side (because of the distance), it stays in that orientation. The Earth technically has an ellipsoid component as well (same reason - the tides), but it is very small compared to Earth's rotation-induced oblateness.

The link you provided before that mentioned the crust being thicker on the other side doesn't mean that side is heavier - the crust is thin and light.
 
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What is the "Dark Side of the Moon"?

The "Dark Side of the Moon" refers to the side of the Moon that is permanently facing away from Earth. This side of the Moon is not actually dark, but rather receives the same amount of sunlight as the near side. However, it is called the "dark side" because it is not visible from Earth and was largely unexplored until the 20th century.

Why is the "Dark Side of the Moon" important to study?

Studying the "Dark Side of the Moon" allows us to gain a better understanding of the Moon's composition and formation. This side of the Moon has a different terrain and mineral composition compared to the near side, which could provide valuable insights into the history of our solar system.

How is NASA planning to explore the "Dark Side of the Moon"?

NASA has several upcoming missions planned to explore the "Dark Side of the Moon". The first is the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which will map the surface of the Moon in high resolution. The second is the Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon by 2024. This program will also establish a sustainable presence on the Moon and conduct scientific experiments on the "Dark Side".

What challenges are involved in exploring the "Dark Side of the Moon"?

One of the main challenges in exploring the "Dark Side of the Moon" is the lack of direct communication with Earth. Since this side of the Moon is constantly facing away from Earth, communication signals cannot reach it. This requires the use of relay satellites or advanced communication technology. Another challenge is the harsh environment on the "Dark Side", including extreme temperatures and radiation exposure.

What potential discoveries can be made by exploring the "Dark Side of the Moon"?

Exploring the "Dark Side of the Moon" could lead to many potential discoveries, including new insights into the formation and evolution of the Moon, the potential for resources such as water ice, and the possibility of using the Moon as a launchpad for further space exploration. It could also provide a better understanding of the effects of long-term space travel on humans and technology.

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