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
Chinese sun and moon mirrors "fangzhu" mirrors "jiàn" 見 "seeing" the sun and moon. The Way of Heaven is called the Round; the Way of Earth is called the Square. The square governs the obscure; the circular governs the bright. The bright emits "qi", and for this reason fire is the external brilliance of the sun. The obscure sucks in "qi", and for this reason water is the internal luminosity of the moon. Emitted "qi" endows; retained "qi" transforms. Thus yang endows and yin transforms. The unbalanced "qi" of Heaven and Earth, becoming perturbed, causes wind; the harmonious "qi" of Heaven and Earth, becoming calm,