Why do the relative positions of earth, moon, and sun affect natural phenomenon on earth?
The changing relative positions of the moon, Earth and sun give the moon its phases. Sunlight reflected off the moon from different perspectives as it revolves around the Earth. Though it’s hard to see any changes in brightness in a single night, the moon can brighten and dim over several nights. It plays out the same changing phases every 29.5 days. This is one example.
Related Questions
- From earth the moon has the same apparent diameter as the sun. I assume that the sun is denser than the moon so why doesnt the sun have at least as great an affect on earths tides as the moon?
- What are the relative positions of the moon and sun and earth during a solar eclipse?
- What are the relative positions of the sun moon and earth during a full moon?
