Why does far side of moon look so different from near side?

Subject: Why does far side of moon look so different from near side?

Date: Sat Nov 13 13:51:42 2004
Posted by nick
Grade level: grad (science) School: No school entered.
City: No city entered. State/Province: No state entered. Country: No country entered.
Area of science: Astronomy
ID: 1100375502.As

Message:


i.e no maria

I have read that the crust is thicker.. but why?  As I understand it, the 
Earth's gravity squeezes the Moon so that the far and near sides receive the 
similar forces.  I don't see how the Earth can significantly screen the 
nearside Moon from impacts any more than the farside.  So why?

Re: Why does far side of moon look so different from near side?

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