Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse

Recent questions

• Why does the Sun and Moon appear similar in size in the sky?

  The Sun is approximately 400 times larger than the Moon, but it is also about 400 times further from the Earth than the Moon. This distance ratio explains why they appear similar in size when viewed from Earth.

• What causes the Moon to appear to grow and shrink from Earth?

  The Moon's orbit is elliptical, not circular. The closest point to Earth in its orbit is called Perigee, while the farthest point is named Apogee. This elliptical orbit causes the Moon to appear to grow and shrink in size as it moves closer and farther away from Earth.

• How do solar and lunar eclipses occur?

  Solar eclipses happen when the Moon blocks sunlight from reaching Earth, while lunar eclipses occur when Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon. These events do not happen monthly due to the Moon's orbit being tilted by about five degrees.

• Why don't solar and lunar eclipses occur every month?

  Solar and lunar eclipses do not occur monthly because the Moon's orbit is tilted by about five degrees. This tilt causes eclipse seasons to happen twice a year when the lunar nodes align with the Sun, Earth, and Moon, allowing for eclipses to occur.

• What is the significance of the Moon's elliptical orbit in relation to eclipses?

  The Moon's elliptical orbit plays a crucial role in eclipses. The varying distances of the Moon from Earth, known as Perigee and Apogee, affect the size of the Moon in the sky. Additionally, the tilt of the Moon's orbit by about five degrees causes eclipse seasons to occur twice a year when the lunar nodes align with the Sun, Earth, and Moon, leading to solar and lunar eclipses.