8/15/2023 0 Comments Sun in moon![]() ![]() It would be difficult to calculate the odds of the size differences of these objects aligning to the point where solar eclipses are possible. As time passes, the moon will continue to get further away from Earth. Since its formation, it has been slowly inching away from Earth each year.Īt this time, the moon is the perfect distance to appear the same size as the sun and block it out during an eclipse. The moon formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago, born out of a collision between Earth and Theia. This happens when the sun and moon orbital planes intersect and the distances align, which happens about every 18 months. This phenomenon involves the Moon passing between Earth and the sun, casting a shadow over Earth by blocking the sun. It is also the reason that we are able to observe amazing celestial events, such as a solar eclipse. This ‘match’ of size difference and distance, is the reason that the sun and moon appear to be the same size from Earth. Given these numbers, you would assume that the sun would appear enormous, in comparison with the moon, so why doesn’t it? That’s because the sun also happens to be 400 times further away from Earth than the moon. The sun’s diameter is 864,000 miles, which is approximately 400 times larger than the moon, at only 2,160 miles. The moon and sun have the same angular size in the sky, despite their size differences. Their seemingly similar size just happens to be a strange coincidence. The short answer is no, the sun and moon are not the same size but that doesn’t explain why it looks that way. And given the prevalence of these objects in our sky, it has left many wondering if the sun and moon are the same size – because it sure looks like they are. ![]() The sun and moon are two objects in our solar system that have a lot of influence over Earth. ![]()
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