3. How does a lunar eclipse occur?
Please note that when answering, give a detailed explanation.
I will just tackle the lunar eclipse for a start.
Junker, in usual enlightening fashion, says "I would suggest starting with the FAQ", so of course I do a search on "lunar eclipse" and get:
Re: Solar and lunar eclipse « Reply #7 on: February 02, 2016, 10:52:32 PM » Big help! Refers you to Wiki and Q&A.
Re: What is the shape of the Moon and its orbit ? « Reply #2 on: May 25, 2016, 08:16:42 AM » Doesn't help me much, I wrote it!
Maybe I'd better look at older Q&A posts:
Re: Eclipses « Reply #29 on: January 19, 2015, 12:47:18 AM » Well, I doubt
markjo will give FET answer
!
Re: Basic physics laws « Reply #21 on: May 22, 2015, 07:20:16 AM » Nor from Alex (Spock!).
Re: For those who believe in a flat Earth. « Reply #62 on: July 05, 2015, 11:42:33 AM » JRowe is a Flat Earther, but no help!
Maybe we look at posts by the ultimate authority, Junker! Sorry, NONE. Try Tom Bishop next.
Re: Eclipses « Reply #27 on: January 18, 2015, 09:59:57 PM » But that's no help!
Re: Solar and lunar eclipse « Reply #7 on: February 02, 2016, 10:52:32 PM » Not much help.
Well the Q&A seems useless, so look up "the Wiki". Ah, now we've hit pay-dirt with
The Lunar Eclipse
A Lunar Eclipse occurs about twice a year when a satellite of the sun passes between the sun and moon.
This satellite is called the Shadow Object. Its orbital plane is tilted at an angle of about 5°10' to the sun's orbital plane, making eclipses possible only when the three bodies (Sun, Object, and Moon) are aligned and when the moon is crossing the sun's orbital plane (at a point called the node). Within a given year, considering the orbitals of these celestial bodies, a maximum of three lunar eclipses can occur. Despite the fact that there are more solar than lunar eclipses each year, over time many more lunar eclipses are seen at any single location on earth than solar eclipses. This occurs because a lunar eclipse can be seen from the entire half of the earth beneath the moon at that time, while a solar eclipse is visible only along a narrow path on the earth's surface.
Total lunar eclipses come in clusters. There can be two or three during a period of a year or a year and a half, followed by a lull of two or three years before another round begins. When you add partial eclipses there can be three in a calendar year and again, it's quite possible to have none at all.
The shadow object is never seen because it orbits close to the sun. As the sun's powerful vertical rays hit the atmosphere during the day they will scatter and blot out nearly every single star and celestial body in the sky. We are never given a glimpse of the celestial bodies which appear near the sun during the day - they are completely washed out by the sun's light.
It is estimated that the Shadow Object is around five to ten miles in diameter. Since it is somewhat close to the sun the manifestation of its penumbra upon the moon appears as a magnified projection. This is similar to how during a shadow puppet show your hand's shadow can make a large magnified projection upon your bedroom wall as you move it closer to the flashlight.
From: The Lunar Eclipse
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But for me, this raises more questions than it answers! (see my post in
Re: Why should anyone believe the earth is flat? « Reply #75 on: March 16, 2016, 11:08:14 PM »).
My big problem is simply that it is completely impossible for the 5 to 10 mile diameter Shadow Object to cast a shadow from a 32 mile diameter sun onto a 32 mile diameter moon. Especially as the shadow on the moon appears to be about 3 times the diameter of the moon.
If the Flat Earth experts will not give answers for the rest of your questions, I might give them a go. Some are handled OK in "the Wiki".