Question about solar eclipse?

Question

Is it just coincidence that the moon is just the right size to cover the sun during a solar eclipse?

Answer 1

Yes.*

It actually varies whether the moon is too big or too small to totally cover the sun during an eclipse. That depends on the distance to the sun, since the earth follows an ovoid rather than circular orbit.

*This could also be "No," depending on your theological inclinations. You could easily say that since God** made a habit of blotting out the sun when He wanted to prove a point, He made the moon just big enough to freak out the people He wanted to impress.

**Or other deities of your choosing.

Answer 2

Yes, it's a coincidence that the moon is just the right size to cover the sun during a solar eclipse.

In the past few years, we've been able to see both Venus and Mercury transit the Sun. Both of these planets are larger than our Moon, but because of their relative distance between us and the Sun, they appeared as small black dots crossing the surface of the Sun (as seen through a solar filter on a telescope -- never look directly at the Sun!)

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Actually, you can cover the Sun with a half dollar if you hold it in front of the Sun.

It's not a question of the size of the Moon, it's a question of the distances from the Earth and the Sun when it passes between them.

Answer 4

Many good answers here. I might add that the size of the moon causes a gravitational effect on the earth that was important for our form of life to exist.

One can say that may be rare in the universe.

Answer 5

Brian is right its the distance from moon