How does the light from the sun reach the moon during the full moon phrase (SUN~EARTH~MOON) ?
And is it true that light does not flow/move in a straight line in outer space as it does on planet Earth?
2007-05-15 03:08:14 · 8 answers · asked by 3vilMTV 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The Earth, Moon and Sun are not quite in a direct line during full Moon. The Moon's orbit is inclined 5 degrees to the plane of Earth's orbit, so if you were to look at the Earth and Moon from the Sun you'd see the Moon pass sometimes below and sometimes above the Earth as it orbited. The result of this is that Earth doesn't often block the light from the Sun from reaching the Moon, hence we see a full Moon.
That said, there are times when Earth, Moon and Sun do line up directly, and when this happens at full Moon we get a lunar eclipse, in which the Moon passes into the shadow of the Earth.
2007-05-15 03:20:41 · answer #1 · answered by Jason T 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
The Moon is usually not exactly opposite the Sun at full phase. It's orbit is inclined about 5 degrees so the Moon can pass up to 5 degrees above or below the Earth's shadow. But sometimes it does pass through the Earth's shadow, and then there is a lunar eclipse.
2007-05-15 03:31:15 · answer #2 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The earth is NOT blocking the light from the sun. When it does it causes an eclipse of the moon.
2007-05-15 03:20:03 · answer #3 · answered by Patricia S 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The earth is blocking the moon in the New phase. That is why you cannot see it then. The Earth is not blocking the sun during the full phases
The following is a great website that shows the moon's phases for every day of the month.
http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon/
2007-05-15 03:28:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
Hi. Jason T is right. Light follows the shortest path in space as on Earth. Any object with gravity bends the space around it and light follows this bend. (Near a black hole the bend turns back on itself.)
2007-05-15 03:30:18 · answer #5 · answered by Cirric 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
imagine if u will. a parking lot spotlight shining on a tennis ball(earth) with a pea( moon) 2 parking spaces away.
2007-05-15 04:40:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
THE EARTH IS BLOCKING YOU FROM THE SUN NOT THE MOON
2007-05-15 03:18:00 · answer #7 · answered by jet r 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
When the moon is in 'full' phase, it's not hidden by the earth. That happens when the moon is in 'new' phase.
2007-05-15 03:21:47 · answer #8 · answered by gr8designr 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋