Why does the far side of the moon look so different?

[Sheltie]

Why Do We Have a Two-Faced Moon?

Many scientists now hypothesize that the crust on the far side of the moon may be significantly thicker than the crust on the side that faces Earth due to a collision between two early moons. Instead of a high speed impact, the collision may have involved a slow "mushing" action that gradually fused the two together.

I find this theory interesting because I had never considered the possibility of such a slow, less dramatic collision.

 

[August]

The one moon smoozed all over the other one . Cool.

 

[nivek]

The gravity of Earth may have had a role in that too...

 

[Shadowprophet]

It's because The back side of the moon the side that faces away from earth has been impacted by meteors and comets and whatever else the universe can throw at it. while the other side is always facing earth.

 

[CasualBystander]

It the near side of the moon that looks different, not the farside.

 

[Shadowprophet]

It the near side of the moon that looks different, not the farside.

In fairness. If there are two sides and one side looks different then they both are different from one another bro But, I see what you are getting at. Why is the side facing earth so riddled with craters? that in it'self is a mystery. Maybe at one time, the moon spun on its axis?

Perhaps because of the distance of the moon. Were some creators able to impact the moon at angles?

 

[CasualBystander]

In fairness. If there are two sides and one side looks different then they both are different from one another bro But, I see what you are getting at. Why is the side facing earth so riddled with craters? that in it'self is a mystery. Maybe at one time, the moon spun on its axis?

Perhaps because of the distance of the moon. Were some creators able to impact the moon at angles?

The more sensible theory is that after the moon was created, the earth and moon were both molten, The moon quickly became tidal locked - because the distance was 1/9 of what it is today and tidal forces would have been scary.

The front side got all the heat and tidal force (hence the lava flows) and all the refractory vapors condensed on the back side making the crust thicker.

At the moon;s current distance earth isn't much protection and vice versa. The lava flows continued after the great bombardment until about a billion years ago.

Earth is 81 times heavier than the moon. If there was water on the moon the tides would be 81 meters instead of the earth average which is close to 1 meter.

 

[Shadowprophet]

bro [/QUOTE]

The more sensible theory is that after the moon was created, the earth and moon were both molten, The moon quickly became tidal locked - because the distance was 1/9 of what it is today and tidal forces would have been scary.

The front side got all the heat and tidal force (hence the lava flows) and all the refractory vapors condensed on the back side making the crust thicker.

You never fail to amaze me, That is brilliant bro.

 

[nivek]

Why does the far side of the moon sound so different?...

The Unexplainable ‘Far Side Of The Moon’ Music – Lost Tapes Revealed, Heard By The Apollo Astronauts

 

[CasualBystander]

Far side of the Moon - Wikipedia

The far side of the Moon, sometimes figuratively known as the dark side of the moon

What they actually heard:

 

[Sheltie]

There was a program on the Science Channel that explained that the main reason the side facing us looks so different is due to the fact it had extensive volcanic activity millions of years ago. The far side, due its thicker crust, did not permit volcanic activity. I suppose the gravity pull caused by the permanent tidal lock was a major factor.

Still, I think the most fascinating feature of the moon is the mysterious ringing sound it makes when heavy objects crash into it. It's almost as if the surface is made up of some type of crystal or metal, like a giant bell.

The first time I saw the moon through a telescope years ago, I was in awe of the spectacular shadows and details you can see, even with a basic telescope. Saturn with its rings and Venus with its phases are interesting, but nothing compares to the moon on a clear night.