Changes

The Moon orbits the Earth.  Unlike most planets, Earth has only one moon and it has several striking characteristics that only be described as artistic in design:   

The Moon orbits the Earth.  Unlike most planets, Earth has only one moon and it has several striking characteristics that only be described as artistic in design:   

1.  The Moon has the same size as the Sun when viewed from Earth.  This creates a beautiful symmetry and permits phenomenal eclipses to occur.  The odds of that symmetry occurring by chance are too small to be considered possible.

1.  At this point in geological history, during the relatively short period of human history, the Moon has the same size as the Sun when viewed from Earth.  This creates a beautiful symmetry and permits phenomenal eclipses to occur.  The odds of that symmetry occurring by chance are too small to be considered possible.

2.  The Moon presents the same side to Earth at all times, even though the Moon revolves around the Earth.  That requires the rotation of the Moon to be timed precisely to offset the separate effects of the revolution around Earth.  This synchronization is the result of tidal forces between the Earth and the Moon. A similar effect causes the planet Mercury to have its period of rotation "locked" to its period of revolution around the sun, so that the same side of Mercury always faces the sun.

2.  The Moon presents the same side to Earth at all times, even though the Moon revolves around the Earth.  That requires the rotation of the Moon to be timed precisely to offset the separate effects of the revolution around Earth.  This synchronization is the result of tidal forces between the Earth and the Moon. A similar effect causes the planet Mercury to have its period of rotation "locked" to its period of revolution around the sun, so that the same side of Mercury always faces the sun.