Distance from Earth to Moon:
Earth has one natural satellite in the form of the moon. The distance from the Earth to moon can be measured in terms of km, light years and miles. It takes 1.2 second for light to travel the distance from Earth to the moon. The average distance between the Earth and the moon is 384,400 km.
The moon has an elliptical orbit around the Earth. Hence, the distance between the Earth and moon fluctuates at certain points. The different positions are called apogee and perigee. The apogee is when the moon is the farthest from the Earth, the distance is 405,500 km. The perigee is the closest distance and at this position the total distance between the Earth and the moon is 363,300 km. The average distance is 384,400 km. This distance is 30 times the Earth's diameter.
Distance from Earth to the Sun:
The exact distance from the Earth to Sun varies because of its elliptical orbit. The distance from Earth to the Sun has a special unit called 1 astronomical unit or AU. The Earth is closer to the Sun during the winter (in the northern hemisphere) and this phase is called the perihelion. The aphelion is the phase when the earth is the farthest from the sun and this is in the first week of July; Summer (in the northern hemisphere). The average distance from Earth to Sun is about 150 million km. In AU, it measures up to 149,597,870.7 km. During the aphelion the distance is 152 million km and during perihelion the distance is 147 million km.
Earth has one natural satellite in the form of the moon. The distance from the Earth to moon can be measured in terms of km, light years and miles. It takes 1.2 second for light to travel the distance from Earth to the moon. The average distance between the Earth and the moon is 384,400 km.
The moon has an elliptical orbit around the Earth. Hence, the distance between the Earth and moon fluctuates at certain points. The different positions are called apogee and perigee. The apogee is when the moon is the farthest from the Earth, the distance is 405,500 km. The perigee is the closest distance and at this position the total distance between the Earth and the moon is 363,300 km. The average distance is 384,400 km. This distance is 30 times the Earth's diameter.
Distance from Earth to the Sun:
The exact distance from the Earth to Sun varies because of its elliptical orbit. The distance from Earth to the Sun has a special unit called 1 astronomical unit or AU. The Earth is closer to the Sun during the winter (in the northern hemisphere) and this phase is called the perihelion. The aphelion is the phase when the earth is the farthest from the sun and this is in the first week of July; Summer (in the northern hemisphere). The average distance from Earth to Sun is about 150 million km. In AU, it measures up to 149,597,870.7 km. During the aphelion the distance is 152 million km and during perihelion the distance is 147 million km.
Eclipse:
If you ever witness an total solar eclipse you would know that the Sun disappears from the sky unexpectedly. Then there is darkness for a bit and then the Sun returns again. During this time even animals act as if it is night time. Why does it occur?
The revolution of the Moon causes eclipses. Eclipses occur when Earth or the Moon temporary blocks the sunlight from reaching the other. Sometimes during a new moon the Moon's Shadow falls on Earth and causes a solar eclipse.
An eclipse can occur only when the Sun, Moon and Earth are lined up perfectly.
If you ever witness an total solar eclipse you would know that the Sun disappears from the sky unexpectedly. Then there is darkness for a bit and then the Sun returns again. During this time even animals act as if it is night time. Why does it occur?
The revolution of the Moon causes eclipses. Eclipses occur when Earth or the Moon temporary blocks the sunlight from reaching the other. Sometimes during a new moon the Moon's Shadow falls on Earth and causes a solar eclipse.
An eclipse can occur only when the Sun, Moon and Earth are lined up perfectly.
Solar Eclipse:
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/3/8/26385790/4744957.jpg)
This is when the Moon moves directly between the Sun and Earth and casts its shadow over part of Earth. Depending on where you are on Earth, you may experience a total eclipse or a partial eclipse. The darkest portion of the Moon's shadow is called the umbra. A person standing within the umbra experiences a total solar eclipse. During a total solar eclipse the only visible portion of the Sun is a pearly white glow around the edge of the eclipsing Moon; Sun's Corona.
Surrounding the Umbra is a lighter shadow on Earth's surface called the penumbra. Person standing in the penumbra experiences a partial solar eclipse.
Surrounding the Umbra is a lighter shadow on Earth's surface called the penumbra. Person standing in the penumbra experiences a partial solar eclipse.
Lunar Eclipse:
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/3/8/26385790/6720821.jpg)
Eclipses of the Moon:
When Earth's shadow falls on the Moon, a lunar eclipse occurs. A lunar eclipse begins when the Moon moves into Earth's penumbra. As the Moon continues to move, it enters Earth's umbra and you see a curved shadow on the Moon's surface. Upon moving completely into Earth's umbra the Moon goes dark signaling that a total lunar eclipse has occurred. Sometimes sunlight bent through Earth's atmosphere causes the eclipsed Moon to appear red.
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when only a portion of the Moon moves into Earth's umbra. The remainder of the Moon is in Earth's penumbra and therefore receives some direct sunlight. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon is totally within Earth's penumbra. However, it is difficult to tell when a penumbral lunar eclipse occurs because some sunlight continues to fall on the side of the Moon facing Earth.
A total lunar eclipse can be seen by anyone on the nighttime side of Earth where the Moon is not hidden by clouds.
When Earth's shadow falls on the Moon, a lunar eclipse occurs. A lunar eclipse begins when the Moon moves into Earth's penumbra. As the Moon continues to move, it enters Earth's umbra and you see a curved shadow on the Moon's surface. Upon moving completely into Earth's umbra the Moon goes dark signaling that a total lunar eclipse has occurred. Sometimes sunlight bent through Earth's atmosphere causes the eclipsed Moon to appear red.
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when only a portion of the Moon moves into Earth's umbra. The remainder of the Moon is in Earth's penumbra and therefore receives some direct sunlight. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon is totally within Earth's penumbra. However, it is difficult to tell when a penumbral lunar eclipse occurs because some sunlight continues to fall on the side of the Moon facing Earth.
A total lunar eclipse can be seen by anyone on the nighttime side of Earth where the Moon is not hidden by clouds.
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