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Why do the sun and moon appear to be the same size on a solar eclipse?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Because the sun is thousands of times as far away and just as many times bigger. This is simple geometry. As to why they have this relationship so that they appear to have the same diameter - it is just chance.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoIt is an odd coincidence that the ratio of the sizes and distances of the sun and moon are nearly the same. The sun is about 400 times the diameter of the moon and about 400 times farther away. As a result they appear to be about the same size in the sky.
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoIt is due to an odd coincidence that the ratios of the sizes and distances of the sun and moon are about the same. The sun is about 400 times larger than the moon in diameter and it is also about 400 times farther away.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoA complete coincidence. Figure the odds that the Sun, 93 million miles away and nearly a million miles across, JUST HAPPENS to have the same angular diameter as the Moon, 250,000 miles away and 2500 miles in diameter.
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What is a partial solar?
If you mean a partial solar eclipse, it is when the moon covers part of the sun as opposed to a total eclipse when the moon covers it all. Coincidentally because of their relitive sizes and distances the sun and moon appear the same size in the sky
Is it possible to have a blue moon and a solar eclipse at the same time?
No. A blue moon happens when there is a second full moon. A solar eclipse happens when there is a new moon and it is right between the sun and the earth. But it is possible to have a blue moon and a lunar eclipse at the same time.
How can the moon block out the sun during a solar eclipse when the sun is so much larger than the moon?
The moon can block the sun during an eclipse in the same way as your thumb can block (or eclipse) the moon. A smaller object viewed at a closer distance can appear larger than a much larger object that is further away.
Can there be a lunar ecplicse and solar at the same time?
No. A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between Earth and the sun. A lunar eclipse happens when Earth passes between the sun and the moon.
What is the same between solar and lunar eclipse?
Hi. A solar eclipse only occurs during a "new" moon. No. Solar eclipses, as well as lunar eclipses, are natural cosmic phenomena that occur randomly and rarely due to the orbits of the sun ((Sol) solar), the moon ((Luna) lunar), and the earth (Terra). A solar eclipse occurs when the orbit of the moon puts it between the sun and Earth, blocking the light from the sun and casting a shadow on a particular part of the planet. A lunar eclipse occurs much in the same way, but the earth is in between the sun and moon (much like it always is, but here is what makes it special to where it is dubbed a lunar eclipse) where the earth either blocks the light from reaching the moon (this is the more common version of a lunar eclipse and actually occurs more periodically, approximately once a month or so, and is called a "new moon") or makes the sunlight appear brighter and the moon to appear red in colour (commonly called a "blood moon").
What is a partial solar?
If you mean a partial solar eclipse, it is when the moon covers part of the sun as opposed to a total eclipse when the moon covers it all. Coincidentally because of their relitive sizes and distances the sun and moon appear the same size in the sky
Is it possible to have a blue moon and a solar eclipse at the same time?
No. A blue moon happens when there is a second full moon. A solar eclipse happens when there is a new moon and it is right between the sun and the earth. But it is possible to have a blue moon and a lunar eclipse at the same time.
What cause a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse is caused when the moon crosses in front of the sun.
What is it called when the moon is on the same side of the earth as the sun?
when the moon is covering the sun completely it is called a "total solar eclipse", when it is covering part of it it is just called "solar eclipse" .
How can the moon block out the sun during a solar eclipse when the sun is so much larger than the moon?
The moon can block the sun during an eclipse in the same way as your thumb can block (or eclipse) the moon. A smaller object viewed at a closer distance can appear larger than a much larger object that is further away.
Can there be a lunar ecplicse and solar at the same time?
No. A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between Earth and the sun. A lunar eclipse happens when Earth passes between the sun and the moon.
How do you get a full solar eclipse?
You don't "get" a solar eclipse. The occur randomly in nature as the orbits of the earth and moon are so that the moon is between the sun and Earth where the moon blocks the light from the sun from reaching Earth. The same goes for the opposite, the lunar eclipse.
What is the same between solar and lunar eclipse?
Hi. A solar eclipse only occurs during a "new" moon. No. Solar eclipses, as well as lunar eclipses, are natural cosmic phenomena that occur randomly and rarely due to the orbits of the sun ((Sol) solar), the moon ((Luna) lunar), and the earth (Terra). A solar eclipse occurs when the orbit of the moon puts it between the sun and Earth, blocking the light from the sun and casting a shadow on a particular part of the planet. A lunar eclipse occurs much in the same way, but the earth is in between the sun and moon (much like it always is, but here is what makes it special to where it is dubbed a lunar eclipse) where the earth either blocks the light from reaching the moon (this is the more common version of a lunar eclipse and actually occurs more periodically, approximately once a month or so, and is called a "new moon") or makes the sunlight appear brighter and the moon to appear red in colour (commonly called a "blood moon").
What are the differences between solar and lunar eclipses?
A solar eclipse happens when the moon (that is passing between the sun and earth) covers the sun. At same point, the sun will only be partially visible (parcial eclipse) or will not visible at all (total eclipse). A lunar eclipse happens when the earth is between the sun and the moon. When sunlight hits the earth it projects a shadow and, if the moon is somewhere in the area of that shadow, it will not be visible.
What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?
A solar eclipse is when the sun is blocked from view due to the moon passing exactly in front of the sun as it circles around the globe. However, since the earth moon and sun do not share the same orbital plane, this happens very rarely. You MUST wear special protective eye covering to directly observe a solar eclipse or you risk causing serious injury including blindness. Sunglasses, however good they are, DO NOT PROTECT YOUR EYES during a solar eclipse. Don't directly observe a solar eclipse unless you have guaranteed that your eye wear is certified to protect you. A lunar eclipse is when the moon and sun are on opposite sides of the globe, and the moon is full. At this time, when the earth blocks sunlight from reaching the moon this is called a lunar eclipse. The moon will often appear red during a total lunar eclipse. For the same reason as a solar eclipse, this also happens very rarely, but more frequently at a given location than solar eclipses. It is safe to observe a lunar eclipse without any special protective covering for the eyes. Just remember that if you are looking at an eclipse at night, it is safe to view.
Why does solar eclipse form on new moon day?
Solar eclipses only occur on the same day as a New Moon because that's the only time the Moon is directly between the Earth and the Sun, which is necessary to create the eclipse
What effects would a shrunken sun have on a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse of a Sun that was smaller but a Moon that is the same size and distance as our Moon would mean that eclipses would last longer, you would never get an annular eclipse, a larger area would experience each eclipse.
