Question

Suppose it is full Moon. What phase of Earth would someone on the Moon see at this time?

A) Full Earth
B) New Earth
C) First quarter Earth
D) Earth does not go through phases as seen from the Moon.
E) Couldn't tell because the Earth would be causing a solar eclipse.

Answer 1

During a full Moon, an observer on the Moon would see a "New Earth" because the side of Earth facing them would be completely in shadow, with all sunlight hitting the opposite side.

Step-by-step explanation:

When it is a full Moon, someone on the Moon would see a "New Earth". During the full Moon phase, the Moon is fully illuminated by the Sun from the perspective of an Earth observer because the Moon lies directly opposite the Sun, with Earth in between. Therefore, someone standing on the Moon would look back towards Earth and see no sunlight reflecting off it; all the sunlight would be hitting the other side of Earth that they cannot see. Just as we have a new Moon when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth, those on the Moon would see a new Earth when the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun.