I have another question. What would an observer on the Moon looking at the Earth see?
a) always see a fully-illuminated Earth
b) always see a half-illuminated Earth
c0 see phases of Earth
d) see continuous darkness
These are the four answers, but I would think it would depend on what phase the moon was. Comments please.
Thank you
You are correct in thinking that the phase of the Moon would play a role in determining what an observer on the Moon would see when looking at the Earth. The phase of the Moon is determined by the sunlight falling on it and how much of the illuminated side is visible from the observer's perspective.
If the Moon were in its new moon phase, where it is between the Earth and the Sun, an observer on the Moon would see a fully-illuminated Earth. This is because the Sun would be illuminating the entire side of the Earth that is facing the Moon, while the opposite side of the Earth would be experiencing nighttime.
On the other hand, if the Moon were in its full moon phase, an observer on the Moon would see a half-illuminated Earth. This is because the sunlight would be falling directly on the side of the Earth facing away from the Moon, creating nighttime, while the side facing the Moon would be fully illuminated by the Sun.
If the Moon were in any other phase, the observer on the Moon would see phases of the Earth similar to what we observe during lunar phases from Earth. This means that they would see a partially illuminated Earth, with different portions of the planet appearing darker or brighter depending on the angle between the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
So, in terms of the given answer choices:
a) An observer on the Moon would not always see a fully-illuminated Earth. Only during the new moon phase would this be the case.
b) An observer on the Moon would not always see a half-illuminated Earth. Only during the full moon phase would this be the case.
c) An observer on the Moon would indeed see phases of the Earth, similar to lunar phases observed from Earth.
d) An observer on the Moon would not see continuous darkness. There would be portions of the Earth that are illuminated by the Sun, even if only partially.
Therefore, the correct answer would be option c) see phases of Earth.