A new moon occurs when the:a)Sun is between the Earth and the Moonb)Mo...
Explanation:
Introduction:
A new moon occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. It is an important astronomical event that marks the beginning of the lunar cycle.
Understanding the position:
To understand why option 'B' is the correct answer, let's examine the positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun during a new moon.
Earth, Moon, and Sun:
1. The Earth is the third planet from the Sun and is constantly orbiting around it.
2. The Moon is Earth's natural satellite and orbits around the Earth.
3. The Sun is a star that is at the center of our solar system and provides light and heat to the Earth.
Position during a new moon:
During a new moon, the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. This means that the Moon is on the side of the Earth opposite to the Sun.
Effects of the position:
The position of the Moon during a new moon has several effects:
1. The side of the Moon facing the Earth is not illuminated by the Sun, making it appear completely dark from our perspective on Earth. This is why we cannot see the Moon during a new moon.
2. The gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun align, resulting in increased tidal forces. This phenomenon is known as a spring tide and can lead to higher than normal tides.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, a new moon occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. This alignment causes the Moon to appear dark from our perspective on Earth. It is an important event in the lunar cycle and has effects such as increased tidal forces.
A new moon occurs when the:a)Sun is between the Earth and the Moonb)Mo...
Explanation:
New Moon:
A new moon is a lunar phase that occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. During a new moon, the side of the Moon that is facing the Earth is not illuminated by the Sun, making it appear completely dark from our perspective on Earth.
Position of the Sun, Earth, and Moon:
To understand why a new moon occurs when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, let's consider the positions of these celestial bodies in space:
- The Sun is located at the center of the solar system and emits light and heat. It is much larger than both the Earth and the Moon.
- The Earth is the third planet from the Sun and is constantly orbiting around it. It takes about 365.25 days for the Earth to complete one revolution around the Sun.
- The Moon is Earth's natural satellite and orbits around the Earth. It takes approximately 27.3 days for the Moon to complete one orbit around the Earth.
The Moon's Orbit:
The Moon's orbit around the Earth is not perfectly aligned with the Earth's orbit around the Sun. Instead, the Moon's orbit is tilted slightly, which means that it usually appears above or below the Earth-Sun line. This tilt is the reason why we don't have a solar or lunar eclipse every month.
New Moon Configuration:
During a new moon, the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun in the following configuration:
- The Sun is on one side, emitting light towards the Moon.
- The Moon is in the middle, blocking the sunlight from reaching the Earth.
- The Earth is on the other side, facing away from the Sun and towards the Moon.
Dark Side of the Moon:
Since the side of the Moon facing the Earth is not illuminated by the Sun during a new moon, it appears dark to us. This is because the light from the Sun is being blocked by the Moon, preventing it from reaching the Earth.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, a new moon occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the sunlight from reaching the Earth and resulting in the Moon appearing dark from our perspective.