The side of the moon that always faces the Earth is known as the ____________ side.

The side of the moon that always faces the Earth is known as the ____________ side.

• A. Near
• B. Far
• C. Visible
• D. Dark

Answer: (A)

Tidal locking makes this clear: the Moon rotates once on its axis in the same time it takes to orbit Earth, so the same hemisphere is always turned toward us. That unchanging face is the near side. The opposite hemisphere is the far side. The idea of a “dark side” is a misconception— both sides get sunlight as the Moon cycles through day and night. Librations let us peek a little of the far side at times, but the face that always points to Earth is the near side.

Tidal locking makes this clear: the Moon rotates once on its axis in the same time it takes to orbit Earth, so the same hemisphere is always turned toward us. That unchanging face is the near side. The opposite hemisphere is the far side. The idea of a “dark side” is a misconception— both sides get sunlight as the Moon cycles through day and night. Librations let us peek a little of the far side at times, but the face that always points to Earth is the near side.