Synchronous rotational motion of the Moon about its axis in about the same time it takes to orbit Earth is what keeps the other face of the moon away from the Earth and keeps the same face turned towards Earth.

We don’t know what the other side or the dark side of the Moon that is not visible from Earth looks like. A new video from NASA explains that.

Although the far side undergoes a complete cycle of phases just like the near side, its terrain is quite different. It lacks the large dark spots that make up the near side called maria, instead it is covered with craters of all sizes.

A virtual telescopic view of the Moon from its far side, with the Earth looming in the background. The camera is fixed to the Earth-Moon line
A view from the Moon's far side, using a short focal length that makes the distant Earth look small. The camera is fixed to the Moon's surface.
A view from the Moon’s far side, using a short focal length that makes the distant Earth look small. The camera is fixed to the Moon’s surface.

The video was created with the data returned by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. [NASA]

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