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Card C: How does the number of moon orbits per year affect the number of lunar

eclipses per year?

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The number of moon orbits per year does not directly affect the number of lunar eclipses per year. The frequency of lunar eclipses is primarily determined by the alignment of the Earth, Sun, and Moon. The orbital planes and positions of the Earth and Moon play a significant role in the occurrence of lunar eclipses.


Step-by-step explanation:

The number of moon orbits per year does not directly affect the number of lunar eclipses per year. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth’s shadow to be cast onto the Moon. The frequency of lunar eclipses is primarily determined by the alignment of the Earth, Sun, and Moon, rather than the number of moon orbits per year.

During each lunar orbit, the Moon passes through two points known as the lunar nodes. In order for a lunar eclipse to occur, it must be a full moon and the Moon must be near one of the lunar nodes, so that it passes through the Earth's shadow. This alignment is a complex interaction between the orbital planes and positions of the Earth and Moon, and it does not directly correlate with the number of moon orbits per year.

Therefore, the number of moon orbits per year does not have a direct impact on the number of lunar eclipses per year.


Learn more about Impact of moon orbits on lunar eclipses

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