Orbit of the Moon the Moon varies as it orbits Earth and hence is not always equal to the Moon's rotational velocity. When the Moon is at its perigee, its rotation is slower than its orbital motion, and this allows us to see up to eight degrees of longitude of its eastern (right) far side. Conversely, when the Moon reaches its apogee, its rotation is faster than its orbital motion and this reveals eight degrees of longitude of its western (left) far side. This is referred to as "longitudinal libration". Because the lunar orbit is also inclined to Earth's ecliptic plane by 5.1°, the
Around the Moon sea. This turns out to be the returning projectile, and the three men inside are found to be alive and are rescued. They are treated to lavish homecoming celebrations as the first people to leave Earth. Around the Moon Around the Moon (, 1870), Jules Verne's sequel to "From the Earth to the Moon", is a science fiction novel which continues the trip to the moon which was only partially described in the previous novel. It was later combined with "From the Earth to the Moon" to create "A Trip to the Moon and Around It". "From the Earth to