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The same side of the moon (for all practical purposes) is facing the earth all the time, not just during full moons. This is because the moon is tidally locked with earth. The moon's orbital period and its rotational period are the same. The more massive hemisphere of the moon is always facing the earth. There is a slight variation called lunation. Lunation happens because the moon's rotational period is constant, while its orbital velocity around the earth is not constant. Because the moon's orbit is elliptical, as are virtually all orbits, the moon is passing over the earth at a variable velocity depending on its distance from the earth. As a result, the rotational movement of the moon seems to be either ahead of the moon's orbital location, or lagging behind it. Lunation is an apparent movement of the moon, and not a real movement. There is also a north-south lunation caused by the changing altitude of the moon relative to the equatorial plane.
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How are the sun moon and Earth are positioned relative to each other during a new moon and how this alignment changes to produce a full moon?
During the new moon the Moon is between the Earth an the Sun. Hence only the side that cannot be seen from Earth is illuminated, making the moon appear dark. During the full moon the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon so sunlight falls on the side of the moon facing the Earth, making it appear bright.
During what moon phase do lunar eclipses happen?
A solar eclipse can occur only at the time of New Moon. A lunar eclipse can occur only at the time of Full Moon.
Is the moon's elongation east or west during the waxing phases?
During waxing of the moon, it is lite from the right side. The moon appears to get large from West to East After it passes the Full Moon and starts to wane, it is lite from the left side.
Does a lunar eclipse occur during a new moon?
They happen during, and only during, the new moon. This is because during an eclipse the moon has the sun shining from directly behind it, and it's impossible for us to see any of the side of the moon lit up by the sun from this angle.
Does a lunar eclipse always occur at a full moon?
This is true. The full moon happens when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. Because the Moon's orbit is tilted a little relative to the Earth's, the Moon is usually not EXACTLY on the opposite side of the Earth - but when it is, the Moon orbits right into the Earth's shadow, and we see a lunar eclipse.
When is the dark side of the moon also the far side of the moon?
No. The far side of the moon is usually partially illuminated by the sun and is only completely dark during the full moon. The far side of the moon is fully lit during the new moon phase. It is called the "dark" side of the moon because we never see it.
The amount of lighted side of the moon you can see is the same during?
All of the Moon's lighted side is visible during the full moon.
Why do lunar eclipses form only on full moon night?
During full moon; the sun, earth and moon are perfectly in line with each other. This is the only time the moon passes through the earth's shadow (night side), so a lunar eclipse can only occur during the full moon phase.
Why does the full moon rise at the same time when the sun goes down?
To be full moon, the Moon has to be opposite the Sun - that way, we see the whole of the illuminated side. The only way for the moon to be on the opposite side of earth is for it to be on the night side. Thus the full moon cannot be out during the day.
Is the Moon's dark side the far side?
No. The far side of the moon is usually partially illuminated by the sun and is only completely dark during the full moon. The far side of the moon is fully lit during the new moon phase. It is called the "dark" side of the moon because we never see it.
What phase of the moon occurs when all of the moons near side is sunlit?
During the New moon, the lighted side of the Moon is the OTHER side, the side we never see.
Why does the lunar eclipse takes only at night and during full moon?
Full moon means the sun is on one side of the earth and the moon is on the other. Sometimes the moon passes through the shadow of the earth at the moment of full moon. If you are on the sunny side of the earth (daytime!), you can't see the eclipse; if you are on the dark side of the earth (night!), you can see it.
How much of the bright side of the moon is visible during a full moon?
All of it. That's why it's called a "full" moon.
Why do you see one side of the moon during a full moon?
half of the moon is called the dark side and we never see it.
How are the sun moon and Earth are positioned relative to each other during a new moon and how this alignment changes to produce a full moon?
During the new moon the Moon is between the Earth an the Sun. Hence only the side that cannot be seen from Earth is illuminated, making the moon appear dark. During the full moon the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon so sunlight falls on the side of the moon facing the Earth, making it appear bright.
During what moon phase do lunar eclipses happen?
A solar eclipse can occur only at the time of New Moon. A lunar eclipse can occur only at the time of Full Moon.
Does earth blocks part of the sunlight that shines on the Moon's surface?
Only during a lunar eclipse, which can only happen during a full moon. The visible phases of the moon are caused by it changing its position relative to Earth and the sun. The visible portion is the moon's day side; the side facing toward the sun. The unlit portion is the night side, facing away from the sun.
