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1. Re: Earth, Moon and Sun Alignment
From Mike Wills
There are two ways in which the Earth, Moon and Sun can be aligned:
- Earth–Moon–Sun
- Moon–Earth–Sun
The first occurs at the New Moon and at a solar eclipse; the second occurs at the Full Moon and at a lunar eclipse. Strictly speaking, it is only at the times of the solar and lunar eclipses that the three bodies are in perfect, three-dimensional alignment. At the other times, the Earth, Sun and Moon will only appear to be in alignment if their orbits are viewed from ‘above’ and ‘below’ — and not ‘edge-on’. This is because of ‘up and down wobbles’ in the orbits if the Earth and the Moon.
The next Full Moon after today’s (6 February 2004) will be on 6 March 2004 and the next New Moon will be on 20 February 2004.
There will be solar eclipses will be on:
2004 April 19 - partial solar eclipse
2004 October 14 - partial solar eclipse
2005 April 8 - annular-total solar eclipse
2005 October 3 - annular solar eclipse
2006 March 29 - total solar eclipse
2006 September 22 - annular solar eclipse
There will be lunar eclipses will be on:
2004 May 4 - total lunar eclipse
2004 October 28 - total lunar eclipse
2005 April 24 - penumbral lunar eclipse
2005 October 17 - partial lunar eclipse
2006 March 14-15 - penumbral lunar eclipse
2006 September 7 - partial lunar eclipse
Also see:
The Moon and Its Phases
Upcoming & Recent Eclipses of the Sun and Moon
Science and Technology Messageboard
Lunar Book List
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