The Moon can block the Sun completely during a solar eclipse because the Sun is far, far away. Is it then pure coincidence that the Moon almost completely fits the Sun’s outline, or could we’ve had solar eclipses with a much smaller Moon, thus blocking the sun only very partially?

Question

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In: Physics

Answer 1

The moon is 400 times smaller than the sun. HOWEVER, the moon is 400 times closer to earth than the sun. It’s a huge coincidence but it’s honestly amazing. Now to answer your question. The moon can; has been, and will always change its distance from earth. Most evidence points to the moon very; very slowly spiralling closer to earth with each passing orbit. Even the speed of the moon isn’t consistent. Crazy how that stuff works. And even more amazing that we understand it