Proof that the moon is closer to Earth than the sun

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To demonstrate that the moon is closer to Earth than the sun, engaging a child through visual experiences is essential. Observing solar and lunar eclipses can provide compelling evidence, as the moon's movement in front of the sun is a clear indicator of its proximity. Additionally, explaining the phases of the moon through diagrams or hands-on activities, like using a light source and a ball, can help illustrate why the moon appears in different shapes. Drawing right triangles during a half-moon can also visually reinforce the concept of distance. Ultimately, these interactive methods foster a deeper understanding of celestial relationships.
  • #31
Monsterboy said:
No , because you can actually take her to Fresno, if needed you can take her to any other place in the world if you can afford it.
There are too many places on Earth to visit all of them. And booking a flight every time a question about a town comes up... even if you can afford it it does not sound practical. Sometimes it is more reasonable to trust evidence collected from others.
 
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  • #32
mfb said:
There are too many places on Earth to visit all of them. And booking a flight every time a question about a town comes up... even if you can afford it it does not sound practical. Sometimes it is more reasonable to trust evidence collected from others.
Yes , I just thought that telling a 9 year old that the fact that some people landed on the moon and some spacecraft s were sent to study the sun is the proof to show that moon is closer to the Earth than the sun, is not the most appropriate way to "prove " it, because she will have to blindly trust the "evidence" she may not understand yet and will lead to questions which will require you to prove that the moon landings did happen in the first place ,which will just complicate and prolong the proof for the original question. In #21 Shyan explained it well.
 
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  • #33
Monsterboy said:
Yes , I just thought that telling a 9 year old that the fact that some people landed on the moon and some spacecraft s were sent to study the sun is the proof to show that moon is closer to the Earth than the sun, is not the most appropriate way to "prove " it, because she will have to blindly trust the "evidence" she may not understand yet and will lead to questions which will require you to prove that the moon landings did happen in the first place ,which will just complicate and prolong the proof for the original question. In #21 Shyan explained it well.

She'll also ask why you've never visited the quiche restaurant down the street, but ate at the barbecue place across town, instead.

And, unless you're a family that actually travels the world, what's the difference between Atlantis and Paris?

I think the demo with the light and phases is something a kid would understand. Watching a solar eclipse would also be great because... well, because solar eclipses are cool! Even partial eclipses.

But, oh, why didn't she ask this question in 2004 or 2012 when you could have shown her the transit of Venus? That was so cool on so many levels - such as how humans finally figured out how far the Earth was from the Sun.
 
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  • #34
Showing the phases of the moon with a tennis ball and flashlight should make things clear about how the moon goes through its phases, and why it does so. Visibly showing that it HAS to go between the Earth and the Sun at some point.
 

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