Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83 based; site hou2g.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!mgnetp!ihnp4!houxm!hou2g!stekas From: stekas@hou2g.UUCP (J.STEKAS) Newsgroups: net.games.trivia Subject: Re: more on the moon debate Message-ID: <272@hou2g.UUCP> Date: Wed, 13-Jun-84 15:32:01 EDT Article-I.D.: hou2g.272 Posted: Wed Jun 13 15:32:01 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 15-Jun-84 00:42:04 EDT References: <1369@decwrl.UUCP>, <2847@alice.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ Lines: 17 This is a subtle problem. Technically, the Moon DOESN'T rotate on "ITS" axis. If you calculate the angular momentum of the Earth-Moon system you will find that the Moon contributes only to the orbital angular momentum - i.e. it is not spinning on its axis. As a consequence, a visitor to the Moon would not observe a Coreollus (sp?) force or other tell-tale sign that he was on a spinning body. Anyone willing to do the experiment? The rotation of the Moon with respect to the fixed stars is a consequence of the curvature of space-time in the Earth's neighborhood. Take away the Earth, Sun and planets suddenly, and the Moon would follow a straight trajectory with NO rotation with respect to the fixed stars. Do the same experiment with the Earth and it's rotation rate would change only 1 part in 365. Jim