This mesmerizing animation shows the libration and phases of the Moon at hourly intervals during 2013. Turn up the volume. Click play and watch for a while. The moon has some very intriguing motions which we normally don't notice.
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization StudioThis animation is a product of the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio. Your tax dollars are at work helping to understand and appreciate the world around us.
The linked caption below the video will take you to the site where it and many other materials related to this animation are located. Of particular interest is the first thing on that page called Dial-A-Moon. Enter any date and time for 2013. Click Update to see the appearance of the moon then.
Why does the moon move like that? Several things are going on at the same time. Join me below for answers. I think you will find this an interesting journey.