Why does the same side of the moon always face Earth? The moon keeps the same face toward Earth because the time it takes for the moon to complete a rotation on its axis is similar to the time it takes to orbit our planet, approximately 27 days. Consequently, the same side of the moon constantly faces Earth.

You must be wondering how this happens? Well, it's due to gravity.

The moon's gravity alters Earth and causes tides. Earth pulls on the moon, forming a rocky bulge facing us. This hump slowed the moon's spin to the current rate, so the moon's high tide always faces us.

Why does the moon alter its appearance?

Even though the moon constantly faces the same side toward Earth, a quick check will reveal its brightness varies from night to night.

These are called phases of the moon. By phase, it simply means the part of the moon's face viewed from Earth.

We know that the moon is spherical and that the Sun can shine on all sides. So the only dark part of the moon is the side always facing away from the Sun.

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Why does the same side of the moon always face Earth?

At the full moon's moment, the Sun illuminates the face we constantly see.

And at the time of the new moon, the moon is on the other side of its cycle compared to when it was full. The moon has progressed midway through its orbit, but it has also completed a half-turn, maintaining the same face toward the Earth.

Even though only a small portion of the moon appears to be lit from our viewpoint, 50 percent of the moon is always illuminated. We just do not always notice it.

That's why astronomers disagree with referring to the side of the moon facing away from us as the dark side because that isn't usually the case.