The new Moon happens about once a month, and is often described as happening when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth. Why isn't there an eclipse during every new Moon?

a) the apparent size of the Moon is only occasionally large enough to block the Sun

b) the Moon is not actually directly between the Earth and the Sun during the new Moon because its orbit is tilted relative to the ecliptic plane.

c) the moon can only block the Sun when it is furthest away from Earth, and most new Moons happen when the Moon is at another place on its orbit

d) The Moon is not actually directly between the Earth and the Sun during the new Moon because its orbit is tilted relative to the celestial equator

Question

Matthew Soto

Geography

8 March, 20:32

The new Moon happens about once a month, and is often described as happening when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth. Why isn't there an eclipse during every new Moon?

a) the apparent size of the Moon is only occasionally large enough to block the Sun

b) the Moon is not actually directly between the Earth and the Sun during the new Moon because its orbit is tilted relative to the ecliptic plane.

c) the moon can only block the Sun when it is furthest away from Earth, and most new Moons happen when the Moon is at another place on its orbit

d) The Moon is not actually directly between the Earth and the Sun during the new Moon because its orbit is tilted relative to the celestial equator

+2

Answers (1)

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Redbull · Answer 1

c) the moon can only block the Sun when it is furthest away from Earth, and most new Moons happen when the Moon is at another place on its orbit

Explanation:

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon enters the Earth's shadow. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's shadow falls on the Earth. They do not happen every month because the Earth's orbit around the sun is not in the same plane as the Moon's orbit around the Earth.