Why Don't We See the Back Side of the Moon? | April 27 - May 3
Season 49 Episode 17 | 1mVideo has Closed Captions
Star Gazers STGZ610 April 27 - May 3, 2026 “Why Don't We See the Back Side of the Moon?”
Star Gazers STGZ610 April 27 - May 3, 2026 “Why Don't We See the Back Side of the Moon?”
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Star Gazers is presented by your local public television station.
Funding provided by The Batchelor Foundation and The William J. & Tina Rosenberg Foundation
Why Don't We See the Back Side of the Moon? | April 27 - May 3
Season 49 Episode 17 | 1mVideo has Closed Captions
Star Gazers STGZ610 April 27 - May 3, 2026 “Why Don't We See the Back Side of the Moon?”
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Star Gazers
Star Gazers is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipHEY THERE LUNAR LOONEYS, TRACE HERE.
THIS WEEK IS# THE FIRST OF TWO FULL MOONS IN MAY!
THIS WEEK I WANTED TO ANSWER A QUESTION A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE# -- WHY DO WE NEVER SEE THE BACK OF THE MOON?
HIT THE DARKNESS ANY NIGHT THIS WEEK AROUND SUNSET# TO SEE VENUS CHASING THE SUN BELOW THE HORIZON, AND JUPITER STILL HANGING NEAR CASTOR# AND POLLUX IN GEMINI.
THE WAXING MOON WILL PASS BLUE SPICA IN VIRGO ON WEDNESDAY# AND APPROACH ANTARES IN SCORPIUS BY SUNDAY THIS IS BECAUSE THE MOON ROTATES AT THE SAME RATE# AS EARTH!
THIS IS CALLED “TIDALLY LOCKED.” THE ORBITAL PERIOD OF THE MOON IS SYNCHRONIZED# WITH THE ROTATIONAL PERIOD OF EARTH!
THE MOON DOES HAVE A FAR SIDE, JUST DON’T CALL# IT THE DARK SIDE BECAUSE DURING A NEW MOON, THE BACK OF THE MOON IS FULLY LIT BY THE SUN!
THE FAR SIDE WAS FIRST IMAGED BY THE SOVIET# PROBE LUNA THREE.
IT’S POCK-MARKED WITH CRATERS AND LOOKS PRETTY ALIEN COMPARED# TO THE FRIENDLY FACE WE SEE EACH NIGHT.
KEEP LOOKIN’ UP!
- Science and Nature
Explore scientific discoveries on television's most acclaimed science documentary series.
- Science and Nature
Capturing the splendor of the natural world, from the African plains to the Antarctic ice.
Support for PBS provided by:
Star Gazers is presented by your local public television station.
Funding provided by The Batchelor Foundation and The William J. & Tina Rosenberg Foundation