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While the moon is much smaller than the sun, it is also much closer to us, by about the same amount, too. The moon is about 1/400 the diameter of the sun and also about 1/400th the distance. In the same line of reasoning, you can block a sign at the end of the street from view using your thumb, even though your thumb is much smaller than the sign.
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What is one way in which earth and the moon contrast?
The moon is 4x smaller than the earth, causing the moon to cover up completely the sun on a solar eclipse.
What do you call a lunar eclipse when the moon is not big enough to cover the whole sun?
The Moon is in an elliptical (or oval-shaped) orbit. When a solar eclipse occurs near apogee, when the Moon is farthest away from the Earth, the apparent size of the Moon is smaller than the apparent size of the Sun. So we get an "annular" eclipse.
Does a moon completely cover the sun in a total solar eclipse?
Yes, in a total eclipse the Moon does cover the Sun completely. As the Earth, Moon and Sun are constantly moving, the eclipse doesn't last long. It is important that you don't look directly at the eclipse with the naked eye - or your sight could be damaged.
Would there be a total eclipse of the sun if the moon were smaller than it is?
No.
A ring eclipse is?
Also known as Annular, it would be a total Solar eclipse if the Moon were nearer the Earth at the time (the Moon's orbit is not a perfect circle). The further the Moon is from the Earth, the smaller it appears and thus cannot completely cover the Sun.
When do it mean when the moon cover up the sun not that much?
It's called an eclipse.
When the moon appears to fully cover the disk of the sun?
We will have a TOTAL solar eclipse!
Why do you have solar or lunar eclipses?
When the moon comes in between earth and the sun we witness solar eclipse. Though much smaller than the sun, the moon is much closer to earth so, it can cover the whole sun (from our view). The moon has no light of its own. It only reflects the light it gets from the sun. But, when earth comes in between the sun and the moon the shadow (umbra) of earth covers the moon completely. That's what we call lunar eclipse.
Why does a lunar eclipse lasts longer than a solar eclipse?
Because in a lunar eclipse the earth blocks the moon from the sun, and the earth is bigger. Solar eclipses are when the moon blocks the earth from the sun, and the moon is smaller, thus taking less time than a lunar eclipse.
Does the moon completely covers the sun in a total solar eclipse?
That's what "total" means. If it doesn't completely cover the Sun, it's not a total eclipse.
When the Moon's disk completely cover the sun?
That's called a solar eclipse. It can sometimes happen at new moon.
Why does the solar eclipse block the sun?
The Moon blocks the sun by passing directly between the earth and the Sun causing a solar eclipse. It is just the right size at its distance to cover the sun.
