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 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 in the Nearside portion and smaller parts of the Farside where the Earth is seen during librations, making up the visible portion of the Moon and eclipses there are seen during the lunar sunrise and sunset as well as furthermost areas of the Nearside but mainly not in the polar areas of the Moon. As the Moon revolves around the Earth, the