RE: Questions about the moon
I guess Leo has said it all but nice banter. :DOf course, no-one in particular sees the moon or any phase of it first all the time.
Yeah, it's interesting as Leo says. The side of the moon we see is always pulled toward us. The "Dark Side" (Luke, join it!) is not actually dark at all but like the Earth goes through times of being turned to and from the sun. We might of it as being "dark" to our seeing, that's all.
Of course, when the Apollo missions started arriving they saw the far side (a better term?) as they orbited the moon. All kinds of conspiracy theories whichI don't go with about that! - they encountered UFOs, there were far-side bases, etc.
As a beginning astronomer the moon is certainly quite the best sight - even a useless pair of binocs will show you craters. A decent telescope can have you transfixed...
Venetian