This is due to the fact that moon is locked in 1-1 spin orbit coupling around the Earth.
When the moon is fully visible to observers on Earth, it is called a full moon. This occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned with the Earth in the middle, causing the moon to be fully illuminated by the sun.
The moon is between the sun and earth and reflects light back toward the sun
The moon is between the sun and earth and reflects light back toward the sun
When the moon is fully visible to observers on Earth, it is said to be at its full moon phase. This occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned in a straight line, with the Earth in between the sun and moon. The full moon appears as a complete circle and is the brightest phase of the moon.
Half of the moon is always lit up by the sun at any given time, and the moon orbits the Earth so us observers on Earth will see different amounts of the moon lit up. These different "shapes" we see are called the phases of the moon.
Observers on Earth only ever see the same side of the moon because the moon's rotation period is the same as its orbital period around Earth, causing one side to always face towards us.
When the moon is fully visible to observers on Earth, it is called a full moon. This occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned with the Earth in the middle, causing the moon to be fully illuminated by the sun.
When the moon is not visible to observers on Earth, it is likely in its new moon phase. During this time, the side of the moon facing Earth is not illuminated by the sun, making it appear dark and invisible from our perspective.
Full moon
Full Moon
A solar Eclipse. The moon blocks the sun out to observers on Earth.
The moon is visible to us because it reflects the sun's light.
When the moon is fully visible to observers on Earth, it is in a phase known as the "full moon." During this phase, the entire illuminated side of the moon faces Earth, allowing us to see its surface details clearly. This occurs roughly once a month and is the result of the moon being positioned directly opposite the sun in relation to Earth. The full moon often appears bright and round in the night sky, captivating observers with its beauty.
There are times that the umbra of the moon fails to reach the Earth. This is when the moon is at apogee. When this happens, observers witness an annular, or ring, eclipse. During anannular eclipse, observers in the umbra see a thin, bright ring around the moon.
The moon is between the sun and earth and reflects light back toward the sun
The moon is between the sun and earth and reflects light back toward the sun
When the moon is fully visible to observers on Earth, it is said to be at its full moon phase. This occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned in a straight line, with the Earth in between the sun and moon. The full moon appears as a complete circle and is the brightest phase of the moon.