Figure 1-23 The Moon’s Rotation These diagrams show the Moon at four points in its orbit as viewed from high above Earth’s north pole. (a) If the Moon did not rotate, then at various times the red crater would be visible from Earth while at other times the blue crater would be visible. Over a complete orbit, the entire surface of the Moon would be visible. (b) In reality, the Moon rotates on its north-south axis. Because the Moon makes one rotation in exactly the same time that it makes one orbit around Earth, we only see one face of the Moon.