Near side of the Moon Near side of the Moon The near side of the Moon is the lunar hemisphere that is permanently turned towards Earth, whereas the opposite side is the far side. Only one side of the Moon is visible from Earth because the Moon rotates on its axis at the same rate that the Moon orbits the Earth – a situation known as synchronous rotation, or tidal locking. The Moon is directly illuminated by the Sun, and the cyclically varying viewing conditions cause the lunar phases. Sometimes the dark portion of the Moon is faintly visible due to earthshine, which is indirect
Solar eclipses on the Moon Solar Saros series of the Moon is the equivalent to the Lunar Saros series of the Earth. In a package of Wills's Cigarettes, one of the tobacco cards first issued in 1928 for a few years displays the solar eclipse on the Moon showing the atmospheric ring. This is considered the first depiction of a solar eclipse as seen on the Moon. Solar eclipses on the Moon Solar eclipses on the Moon are caused when the Earth passes in front of the Sun, blocking its light. Viewers on Earth will see a lunar eclipse. The solar eclipses are only seen