A rare celestial phenomenon of near-miraculous coincidence of size and distance that the moon appears as exactly the right size to cover the sun so perfectly and reveal the corona. Total eclipses are widely regarded as one of Nature’s greatest spectacles. The chill and sweep of the Moon’s shadow, the sparkle of Bailey’s beads, and the sight of the corona blazing across the darkened daytime sky are life-altering experiences for some observers. If the Moon were slightly smaller than the Sun, the best eclipses would be annular ones with no dramatic corona or blackening of the daytime sky. If the Moon were slightly larger, the full glory of the chromosphere and prominences surrounded by the glowing corona would be lost. Fortunately, the Moon is “just right.” Earth is the only planet in the solar system with spectacular solar eclipses. Thanks to an apparently improbable coincidence, the Sun and the Moon are almost exactly the same size as seen from Earth. The Sun is 400 times larger than the Moon, but it is also 400 times farther away.
2007-04-14 13:17:33 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
He created everything, for a purpose.
2007-04-14 13:46:01 · answer #1 · answered by rezany 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the Sun's diameter is 400 times the moons diameter, but the moon is 400 times closer... so yes.. an odd thing
helium was discovered on the sun due to eclipse... the theory of relativity was confirmed due to an eclipse... the moon helps not just to sustain life on earth but in the exploration and discovery of the universe
actually their are about 70 moons in the solar system... only our moon causes a total eclipse... and we are the only planet with a thick atmosphere that is also clear, where an observer could live and see it
interestingly... the moon is non magnetic causeing it to NOT interfere with the earth's magnetic field which has many purposes... one being to shield the earth;s atmosphere from solar winds... the moon cannot hold an atmosphere because of lack of magnetic field but it is a good thing for us since the moon's mag field if it had one could cause problems for ours electrodynamically
the moon helps the earth not wobble, the moon is essential for life in terms of tides
the moon is almost perfect.. yet smashed up 50% on the side facing earth..the dark parts being lava seas solidified ... the other side of the moon is about 5% dark lava seas... something smashed it up in a short period of time
a good design, but somewhat broken... that seems to be a theme with the universe huh... sin messed it up... man sinned and pulled the universe down with it
2007-04-14 13:28:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
On a cosmic scale, the level of flexibility for this illusion to occur is actually quite large. The Sun's coronosphere that flares beyond the edge of the moon (but does not equate to the actual surface of the Sun) in solar eclipse would still work even if the Moon was roughly 10-20% larger or closer.
2007-04-14 13:22:53 · answer #3 · answered by Elijah 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No matter how many times you ask, its still just a weak coincidence.
Too bad it isn't precise. The distance from the Earth to the Sun varies by 3.4%. The distance from the Earth to the Moon varies by 5.5%. That's a fair amount of variability -- up to 8.9% in apparent diameters -- to call precise. The moon has to cross the plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun, so that's just a coincidence.
I've watched the shadows of Galilean moons sweep across Jupiter. That spectacular. I've watched Galilean moons eclipse each other. They can hit your "perfect" conditions.
You asked it before, and adding additional incorrect statements won't make your question better.
2007-04-14 13:23:45 · answer #4 · answered by novangelis 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I predict a total eclipse of the sun on August 1, 2008 in the northeastern United States. I am a powerful shaman. Worship me.
2007-04-14 13:24:38 · answer #5 · answered by ivorytowerboy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Also the golden ratio, and incredible patterns that appear in objects of nature. The fact that the Earth is positioned in just the right place. Also Atheists point out that miracles can usually be attributed to rare phenomenom occuring at the same time. Sure the events may be natural but the timing is not.
2007-04-14 13:24:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Did you also know that the moon is actually moving farther away from the earth each year. One day your miraculous total eclpise will be nothing more that a partial eclipse.
2007-04-14 13:22:29 · answer #7 · answered by Armund Steel 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Nothing miraculous about it. And science can predict them to the millisecond millenia from now.
If, on the other hand, there was an eclipse that science wasn't able to predict, then that would be a miracle.
But, of course, that will never happen.
2007-04-14 13:25:34 · answer #8 · answered by Yoda Green 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the sun is much larger than 400 times the size of the moon. sorry, you know nothing... next question.
"only science can save you"
2007-04-14 13:23:47 · answer #9 · answered by just curious (A.A.A.A.) 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
What is the purpose behind such a design? If there is no purpose other than coincidence then maybe it is just a coincidence.
2007-04-14 13:24:02 · answer #10 · answered by Wisdom in Faith 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋