When Earth, the moon, and the sun align, which order would lead to a solar eclipse? (1 point)
Responses
moon–Earth–sun
moon–Earth–sun
sun–moon–Earth
sun–moon–Earth
sun–Earth–moon
sun–Earth–moon
moon–sun–Earth
sun–moon–Earth
When Earth, the moon, and the sun align, the order that would lead to a solar eclipse is "sun–moon–Earth".
To understand why this order leads to a solar eclipse, we need to understand the concept of a solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on a portion of the Earth's surface.
Here's the step-by-step explanation:
1. The order "sun–moon–Earth" means that the sun is positioned directly behind the moon from the perspective of an observer on Earth.
2. As a result, the moon blocks or partially blocks the sunlight from reaching certain areas on Earth, creating a shadow on the Earth's surface.
3. The shadow, known as the umbra, is the darkest part and results in a total solar eclipse for observers within the path of the umbra.
4. Observers in regions within the penumbra, the lighter part of the shadow, experience a partial solar eclipse.
So, when the moon is positioned between the sun and the Earth (sun–moon–Earth), it creates the necessary alignment for a solar eclipse to occur.