Solar and Lunar Eclipse - size of moon

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the comparative sizes of shadows during solar and lunar eclipses, specifically addressing the tapering of the moon's shadow on Earth and the Earth's shadow on the moon. Participants clarify that the moon's shadow tapers by one moon diameter during a solar eclipse, while the Earth's shadow also tapers by one moon diameter during a lunar eclipse, despite the Earth's shadow being 2.5 times wider than the moon. This leads to the conclusion that the Earth's shadow is 3.5 times larger than the moon when accounting for the tapering effect.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic eclipse mechanics
  • Familiarity with shadow geometry
  • Knowledge of relative distances in the Earth-Moon-Sun system
  • Basic physics principles related to light and shadow
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the geometry of solar and lunar eclipses
  • Study the physics of light and shadow propagation
  • Explore the relative sizes and distances of celestial bodies in the Earth-Moon-Sun system
  • Examine the mathematical calculations involved in eclipse shadow sizes
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Astronomy enthusiasts, physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the mechanics of eclipses and celestial shadow dynamics.

samona
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If during a solar eclipse the moon tapers one moon diameter, wouldn't a lunar eclipse taper one Earth diameter?
 
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hi samona

what do you mean by tapers one moon diameter ?
you do realize that the moon is a lot closer to the Earth than the sun is ?

Dave
 
I meant the shadow of the moon tapers 1 moon diameter on the Earth during a solar eclipse. My physics book says that the Earth's shadow on the moon during a lunar eclipse also tapers 1 moon diameter.

My physics book says that if the moon's shadow tapers 1 moon diameter on the Earth during a solar eclipse, then the Earth's shadow tapers one moon diameter during a lunar eclipse. Therefore, since the Earth's shadow is 2.5 times wider than the moon, if you take into account that the Earth's shadow tapers 1 moon diameter than the Earth is 3.5(2.5 + 1) times larger than the moon.

My confusion is that if the moon's shadow tapers 1 moon diameter, why does the Earth's shadow also taper 1 moon diameter? Wouldn't the Earth's shadow taper one Earth diameter?
 

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