William M. Jannone, age l2, of Waterville, N.Y., for his question:

In what direction does the moon rotate?

The moon rotates on its axis toward the east. This is the same direction the earth and the other planets in the solar system rotate. The principle satellites of all the planets also rotate in an easterly direction, and the sun spins on its axis in this same direction. All the planets and their moons also travel eastward in their orbits around the sun.

The moon's rotation has been slowed by the gravitational pull of the earth. It spins around only once while making its orbit around the earth. Its rotation equals its revolution and the lunar day and night period equals the 28 earth days of the changing phases in a lunar month.