equiz7

Eclipse Quiz

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**Question #7**
Okay, so a solar eclipse occurs during a new moon. Why don't we see a total solar eclipse on EVERY new moon? The plane of the moon's orbit is tilted from the plane of the earth's orbit. The earth's axis is tilted from the plane of the ecliptic. A total solar eclipse occurs only once in a Blue Moon.

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Exactly!! The moon's orbit is inclined approximately 5 degrees to the plane of the earth's orbit.
During most new moons, the moon does not fall exactly in the plane of the earth's orbit. Its shadow is cast off into space and doesn't fall on the earth. Thus, no eclipse is observed from earth. This orbital geometry is also the reason we don't see a total lunar eclipse on every full moon. If you had a spaceship, could you position it in space to see a total solar eclipse whenever you wanted?
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