This image shows how a lunar eclipse occurs. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly behind Earth into its umbra, or shadow. As shown in the image, the Sun, Earth, and Moon align, with Earth in the middle. Given this information, which statement elaborates on why there is not a solar eclipse every month, as the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth?

Question

Responses
A The Moon is not large enough to cast an umbra, or shadow, on a celestial body as large as Earth.The Moon is not large enough to cast an umbra, or shadow, on a celestial body as large as Earth.
B Phases of the Moon prevent monthly solar eclipses because they cause the Moon's shadows to change.Phases of the Moon prevent monthly solar eclipses because they cause the Moon's shadows to change.
C Craters on the surface of the Moon redirect the Sun's light toward Earth, decreasing the Moon's shadow.Craters on the surface of the Moon redirect the Sun's light toward Earth, decreasing the Moon's shadow.
D Most of the shadows cast by the Earth and Moon do not align because the tilts of each orbit is different.Most of the shadows cast by the Earth and Moon do not align because the tilts of each orbit is different.
Skip to navigation

© Progress Learning 2024, All Rights Reserved.
Terms
|
Privacy
PHONE [phone]
|
FAX [phone]

Answer 1

The best statement that explains why a solar eclipse does not occur every month when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth is:

D: Most of the shadows cast by the Earth and Moon do not align because the tilts of each orbit is different.

This statement addresses the fact that the orbits of the Earth and Moon are slightly tilted relative to each other. As a result, the Moon often passes above or below the line between the Earth and the Sun, preventing a solar eclipse from happening every month.