"I wan't to know something about aliens and UFOs they are: # latest UFO crashed # what are the possibilities of aliens existing "
Special Note
Ask an Astrobiologist has received more than 2500 questions about Nibiru and 2012, with more than 200 answers posted. Please read a summary of the answers that have already been posted, view a video on these topics, use the search feature and read the FAQ’s before submitting questions on these topics.
-
Question
What causes the phases of the Moon and eclipses?
A lot of people are not sure what causes the lunar phases or eclipses, which is why these topics are explained in so many popular astronomy books and are always taught in the first weeks of an astronomy course. I am sure you can find good explanations (with diagrams to help you visualize the situation) is any of dozens of astronomy books available in your library. Very briefly, the Moon's phases result from the changing angles of illumination of the Moon by the Sun as the Moon orbits around the Earth -- from completely illuminated at full phase to obliquely illuminated at crescent phase. Eclipses take place when the shadow of one object falls on another. Lunar eclipses take place when the Moon moves through the shadow of the Earth, and solar eclipses when the Earth moves through the shadow of the Moon. Shadows have nothing to do with phases, which are just a matter of the angle of illumination.
David Morrison
NAI Senior Scientist
March 1, 2004
- How frequently are questions answered?
- I asked a question but there was no answer?
- Who is the Astrobiologist answering these questions?
- Will I get an email when my question is answered?
- What college courses should I take to become an astrobiologist?
- How can I get a job as an astrobiologist at NASA?
- Have aliens visited Earth? Are UFOs real?
- Is there a planet or brown dwarf called Nibiru or Eris that is approaching the Earth and threatening our planet with widespread destruction?
- Is it true that the Sun will be in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy in December 2012 and that this will cause a pole shift and massive destruction.
- Has NASA discovered life on other worlds?
- Astrobiology Career Path Suggestions
