Final answer:
The Moon's angular size at its minimum and maximum distances is 0.0097 and 0.0085 degrees respectively. The Sun's angular size at its minimum and maximum distances is 0.0094 and 0.0091 degrees respectively. It is possible to have a total solar eclipse when the Moon and Sun are at their maximum distance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The angular size of a celestial object can be calculated using the formula: Angular Size = Diameter / Distance.
At the Moon's minimum distance from Earth (356,400 km), its angular size can be calculated as follows: Angular Size = 3476 km / 356,400 km = 0.0097 degrees.
At the Moon's maximum distance from Earth (406,700 km), its angular size can be calculated as follows: Angular Size = 3476 km / 406,700 km = 0.0085 degrees.
Similarly, at the Sun's minimum distance from Earth (147.5 million km), its angular size can be calculated as follows: Angular Size = 1,390,000 km / 147.5 million km = 0.0094 degrees.
At the Sun's maximum distance from Earth (152.6 million km), its angular size can be calculated as follows: Angular Size = 1,390,000 km / 152.6 million km = 0.0091 degrees.
Based on these calculations, it is clear that the Moon's angular size is larger than the Sun's angular size at both the minimum and maximum distances from Earth. Therefore, it is possible to have a total solar eclipse even when the Moon and Sun are both at their maximum distance. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely blocks the Sun, creating a ring of light known as the corona.