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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