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Chapter 3: Problem 47

How would a lunar eclipse look if the Earth had no atmosphere? Explain your reasoning.

Short Answer

Expert verified
If the Earth did not have an atmosphere, the Moon would appear completely dark or black during a lunar eclipse. This is because without anatmosphere, there would be no refraction of the Sun's light to indirectly illuminate the Moon.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding a Lunar Eclipse

First, it's important to understand what a lunar eclipse is. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon and blocks the Sun's light from reaching the Moon. In a normal scenario, the Earth's atmosphere refracts (bends) some of the Sun's light and indirectly illuminates the Moon, giving the Moon a reddish color.
02

Role of Earth's Atmosphere During a Lunar Eclipse

The atmosphere of the Earth plays a significant role during a lunar eclipse. During an eclipse, the Sun’s rays are refracted or bent, by the Earth’s atmosphere that separates out shorter (bluer) wavelengths of light and allows longer (redder) wavelengths to reach and illuminate the Moon. This phenomenon makes the Moon appear red during a total lunar eclipse.
03

Effect of No Atmosphere

If the Earth had no atmosphere, there would be no refraction of the Sun's light. As a result, the Moon would not receive any indirect light from the Sun during a lunar eclipse. The Earth, being between the Sun and the Moon, would cast a dark shadow on the Moon. Consequently, the Moon would not be illuminated and it would appear completely black or dark during the eclipse.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Suppose the Earth moved a little faster around the Sun, so that it took a bit less than one year to make a complete orbit. If the speed of the Moon's orbit around the Earth were unchanged, would the length of the sidereal month be the same, longer, or shorter than it is now? What about the synodic month? Explain your answers.

If the Moon revolved about the Earth in the same orbit but in the opposite direction, would the synodic month be longer or shorter than the sidereal month? Explain your reasoning.

How did Aristarchus try to estimate the distance from the Earth to the Sun and Moon?

Describe the cycle of lunar phases that would be observed if the Moon moved around the Earth in an orbit perpendicular to the plane of the Earth's orbit. Would it be possible for both solar and lunar eclipses to occur under these circumstances? Explain your reasoning.

What is the line of nodes? Why is it important to the subject of eclipses?
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