An event occurs when Earth is between the Sun and Moon?

An event occurs when Earth is between the Sun and Moon?

• A. Solar eclipse
• B. Lunar eclipse
• C. Solar Flare
• D. Moon phase

Answer: (B)

An eclipse involves three bodies aligning in space. When Earth sits between the Sun and the Moon, the Moon moves into Earth’s shadow, producing a lunar eclipse. This can only happen when the Moon is full, because that is when it is opposite the Sun from Earth’s viewpoint. That’s why the described event is a lunar eclipse. In contrast, a solar eclipse would occur if the Moon were between the Sun and Earth, a solar flare is an eruption on the Sun, and Moon phases describe how much of the Moon’s face is illuminated from Earth, not an alignment causing an eclipse.

An eclipse involves three bodies aligning in space. When Earth sits between the Sun and the Moon, the Moon moves into Earth’s shadow, producing a lunar eclipse. This can only happen when the Moon is full, because that is when it is opposite the Sun from Earth’s viewpoint. That’s why the described event is a lunar eclipse. In contrast, a solar eclipse would occur if the Moon were between the Sun and Earth, a solar flare is an eruption on the Sun, and Moon phases describe how much of the Moon’s face is illuminated from Earth, not an alignment causing an eclipse.