The Moon's orbit around Earth

A visualization of how the Moon orbits Earth, explaining why we always see the same side facing us.

[ulibarriL]

For those confused how this works:

It is so difficult to explain in words or even illustrations how it works in way everyone can understand. The best way is with models.

Without models there is another way, just grab any object (preferably a sphere of some sort), but anything will do. It just needs to remain stationary. This object represents the Earth.


Now, walk around the object a few steps away from it in a circle (you are orbiting Earth).

Ok stop. Now face the object directly and continue to walk around the object, but this time ALWAYS face it, you'll have to walk in a sideways motion to do so (keep your eyes locked on the object). Soon you will feel the room rotating around you; might even get a little dizzy,  but the room is not moving, and neither is the object, YOU are. This is the moon spinning on its axis with one side always facing Earth. AKA tidal lock.

[MarcCastellsBallesta]

Car in a roundabout: Really good analogy!

[jewels]

The round about allegory worked well for me. Thanks.

[robbiespence]

just watched 3 top hits on Youtube for videos of moon orbit and this is the best. Short and well animated. 

[dfcastellanos]

I now actually understand the moon's orbit. Thank you

[TheHotSauceHD]

This Video i So interesting! I didn't know the world actually moved around and stuff!

[luisaguilera]

Yeah this is very confusing. I just can’t seem to comprehend how this works exactly. Anyone know any videos that go into more detail about this?

[jacintad]

Thanks for that, wondered why we only see one side. Thought if I went to the other side of the world Id see some other side of the moon. Ill just stay at home now

[kaasovic]

Thanks for posting / making this. I was wondering one night how the rotation of the moon looks compared to the earth, timing, etc. This is about the degree of information I was looking for :)

[hbear]

Excellent presentation! Always great to visualize the 'Why' behind the 'What'! Only suggestion is that each sections animation could be a bit longer - especially since the text is not on screen too long. (Of course, this is remedied by watching at ½ speed, with the pause button at the ready...)
I could see this as a Science Museum presentation, with each section 'hosted' on a separate screen, running in a continuing loop (at ½ this speed, or ¾ speed...)

[joekelly]

So why if it takes 28 days do i see the moon 4 nights on the run pass the same place through my livingroom window ?

[xXFeralArtsXx]

Uhm, isn't the moon tidaly locked to the Earth? Meaning as it spins around the planet, the same side will always face Earth.(that's why there is the "dark side of the moon", the side we can't see from Earth).

[finaltom]

What makes the moon change from rising in the southeast one day and in the north east the next?

[dw-rhfb]

Why does it look like the moon changes its path around the earth, sometimes higher in the night sky and others much lower?

[litreserabaca]

thank you soo much I needed this answer for school thx :)

[daveh]

0:05 so why is the eclipse from west to east?

[Robearwgl]

the moon revolves around the earth in the same direction earth rotates, just slower so it appears to rise and set east to west like the sun?

[joshuabates]

Why can you see the moon in the morning about to set then a few hours later see it up in the sky as you see it in the day? I don't understand how this is possible if the moon rotates one time a day.

[michaeldonn.]

thank you for explaining the moons orbit, it was interesting. I was a bit disturbed by some of the comments. they seem to be angry sad freaks. need to take a chill pill, perhaps they were intoxicated when they commented.

[elim]

thanks is help me to much for my project, and thanks for the comments