The Moon, calendars and eclipses
Answers are for parents and teachers.
1
The Moon rose at 19:00 today. About how many minutes later does it rise 3 days from now (50 min/day)?
150
2
A lunar year is 354 days and a solar year 365. What is the difference in days over 10 years (11 days a year)?
110
3
The synodic month is 29.53 and the sidereal month 27.32 days. Find their difference in days.
2.21
4
Write two differences between a lunar and a solar eclipse.
A lunar eclipse occurs at full Moon, is visible from the whole night side and is safe to watch; a solar eclipse occurs at new Moon, is seen along a narrow track and needs eye protection.
5
Why is a total solar eclipse rare and seen only along a narrow track?
The Moon’s umbra makes only a small spot on the Earth (the angular sizes are almost equal) and the alignment must be near a node.