When do total lunar eclipse occur?
a infrequently during the new moon
b every month during the new moon
c every month during the full moon
d infrequently during the full moon
d infrequently during the full moon
d. infrequently during the full moon
Total lunar eclipses occur infrequently during the full moon. The correct answer is option D.
To understand why total lunar eclipses occur during the full moon, we need to understand the geometry of the Earth, Moon, and Sun during these events.
During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. For this to happen, the Earth, Moon, and Sun need to be nearly aligned, with the Earth in the middle.
The full moon occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are approximately aligned with the Earth in the middle. During this alignment, the Earth's shadow can fall on the Moon, resulting in a lunar eclipse.
However, not every full moon leads to a lunar eclipse. This is because the Moon's orbit around the Earth is tilted relative to the Earth's orbit around the Sun. Thus, during most full moons, the Moon passes above or below the Earth's shadow, and no eclipse occurs.
So, while total lunar eclipses occur during the full moon, they do not happen every month. They occur infrequently because of the Moon's tilted orbit.