What would happen if the moon took 24 hours to spin on its axis?

Question

Michael Landry

Physics

7 December, 20:05

What would happen if the moon took 24 hours to spin on its axis?

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Leyla Holland · Answer 1

I am assuming the Moon's orbit around Earth is not changing and stays at 28 days.

If the Moon's spin changed from it's current 28 days/full rotation around its own axis we would be able to observe a large portion of the Moon's surface over the course of a single night (close to half over 12 hours). Currently, due to the fact that the Moon spins at 28 days/rotation and also orbits Earth at a (same!) period of 28 days/revolution, we get to see the same section of the Moon at all times (the infamous "dark side of the Moon" is hidden). This is the main aspect that would change. Other than, there might not be any other immediate changes (for example there wuld be changes to the lunar cycles as we know them). Of course, there might be some long-term consequences that are hard to predict.