Tilted Moon Path

In the picture

1. 1Bright lamp: the Sun
2. 2Globe: Earth
3. 3Tilted hoop: the Moon’s orbit around Earth
4. 4Small ball: the Moon at a crossing point of its tilted orbit
5. 5Thin string: the direct Sun-Earth line

Examples

• A ball rolling around a tilted hula hoop crosses a straight string through the hoop only twice per loop.
• Two friends walking on different sloped paths line up with the same lamppost only now and then.

Quiz: Tilted Moon Path (Age 14)

1. 1

   What must be true for a solar eclipse to happen?

   • Earth must be at a crossing point of its orbit.
   • The Moon must be new and near a crossing point of its tilted orbit.
   • The Moon must be full and directly behind Earth.
2. 2

   Why are solar eclipses rare?

   • Earth’s orbit changes direction every month.
   • The Moon’s orbit is tilted, so the Sun, Moon, and Earth rarely line up exactly.
   • The Moon is usually too far from Earth to cover the Sun.
3. 3

   What usually happens in most months instead of a solar eclipse?

   • The Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, so an eclipse occurs.
   • The Moon moves behind Earth, so no eclipse occurs.
   • The Moon passes above or below the Sun, so no eclipse occurs.

The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.