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Aaron Turner May 21, 2013 at 11:42 am
Ok, let's be a bit careful with the facts. It is not true that Mercury and Venus always have the…Read More same side facing the Sun - this was not known in 1909. It is true that the Moon has the same side facing Earth at all times.
When a body has this condition, that the same side faces the body it is orbiting at all time, what that really means is that its period of rotation is the same as its orbital period. So, our Moon has a rotation period of 27.3 days, which is precisely its orbital period. (Though not the time between identical phases, but that's another story).
For Mercury, the orbital period is 88 days, and its rotational period is 59 days - very, very slow compared to its orbital period.
For Venus, the orbital period is 224.5 days, and its rotational period is ... 243 days! Not only is its rotation longer than its orbital period, it is the only planet that rotates "backwards" relative to all of the other planets and their orbits.
Now, you asked why. The reason is quite complicated. When we have two bodies, say A and B, where B is smaller than A, and they are relatively close to one another compared to their sizes, the gravity from A will cause tidal distortions of B resulting in bulges forming in B. Then, once these bulges are formed, A's gravity will pull on bulges to gradually "brake" the rotation of B.
In the case of the Moon, it was formed from a massive planetary impact billions of years ago, and separated from Earth. At first it was a molten ball, so tidal forces from Earth's gravity immediately caused large tidal distortions, which caused the rapid braking of its rotation into its current condition.
Lastly, realize that even when we have the rotation and orbital period matching, it is not the case that the body doesn't rotate - the Moon rotates once per month.
John anderson May 21, 2013 at 09:23 am
Once again, an amazingly interesting report. Question: Mercury, Venus and our moon...they don't…Read More spin on their axis? If not, why not?
Nancy Sasso Janis March 18, 2013 at 02:47 am
Spring/Summer Community Band Concert Schedule:
May 24th - Salute to the Vets at Naugatuck High…Read More School 7:00pm
May 25th - Red, White, Blue and Gray at the Strand Theater, Seymour at 7:00pm
June 25th - Summer Pops Concert - Naugatuck Green at 7:00pm
August 24th - Arts Festival Concert - Naugatuck Green at 11:00am
Nancy Sasso Janis March 15, 2013 at 12:20 pm
'Erin Go Bragh' Concert lineup for Saturday, March 16th at the Strand in Seymour:
1) I'm Shipping Up…Read More to Boston
2) Wearing of the the Green
3) Ancient Irish Hymn
4) Rakes of Mallow
5) Lord of the Dance
6) You Raise Me Up
7) Riverdance
8) Gaelic Rhapsody
Rozanne Gates March 1, 2013 at 10:16 pm
I've seen Suzanne Sheridan perform here and I'm coming back for more. She is fantastic and puts on…Read More a great show!
Nicole Heriot March 1, 2013 at 03:07 pm
Liquid Lunch highlights singer/songwriters every Saturday from 12-3 at Souper Saturdays.
This…Read More week: Michelle Riganiese. Next week: Benny Mikula
Visit www.liquidlunchrestaurant.com for a full schedule of upcoming musicians and events.
Nancy Sasso Janis February 13, 2013 at 02:43 am
'Say Goodnight, Gracie,' featuring R. Bruce Connelly, opens on Thursday at Seven Angels.
Nancy Sasso Janis February 9, 2013 at 06:37 pm
With the travel ban in effect until further notice, and for the safety of our patrons and cast, the…Read More Warner Theatre is cancelling tonight's performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. With the roads closed, staff will be making calls from their homes to inform all ticketed patrons within the next couple hours.
The Sunday matinee performance will go on, as planned, at 2pm. Patrons from the Friday and Saturday performances are welcome to exchange their seats for Sunday, or for another upcoming show. Box office plans to open at 10am Sunday to start making those arrangements. Exchanges to shows other than Joseph can be made starting Monday, as well.
Thank you to all for your understanding. Please stay safe!
Nancy Sasso Janis February 6, 2013 at 01:13 am
This will be the final weekend for 'Joseph' at the Warner. Children 14 and under get 50% off their…Read More ticket price in select seats. Don't miss this wonderful family show.
Nancy Sasso Janis February 3, 2013 at 12:20 am
Thank you Tracy for clarifying that. The rest of the set was just as wonderful so kudos to you and…Read More your team of helpers. Thanks for reading my review.
Leah Salomoni (Editor) February 2, 2013 at 01:47 am
"Already have tix for tomorrow!" - Michael Weinmayr
(Comment transferred from Shelton…Read More Patch Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SheltonPatch)
"We Are the Face of the Ives"
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