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Tidal Locking 3D Explorer Step by Step
The Tidal Locking 3D Explorer starts as soon as the page loads: drag to orbit Earth and the Moon, scroll to zoom, and press Play orbit. Everything renders on your own device - no install, no account.
Step 1 - confirm Tidally locked
Leave Tidally locked highlighted. Watch the near-side marker stay Earth-facing while the Moon orbits. The panel lists spin = orbit 27.32 days.
Step 2 - Unlocked spin contrast
Click Unlocked spin and scrub the orbit phase. The far side rotates into view - the didactic contrast that makes synchronous rotation obvious.
Step 3 - read tidal rates
Read lunar recession 3.8 cm/yr and Earth day lengthening 1.7 ms/century in the facts table while fullscreen keeps controls visible.