Page:Illustrated Astronomy.pdf/69



In the following picture, we see as the Earth or the Moon block the sunlight, respectively.

According to what is observed and reviewed in chapter III on this book, every 29.53 days, a New Moon or Full Moon happens. But, why eclipses do not happen every time this occurs? Because Earth is revolving around the Sun in a plane (called ecliptic), and the Moon is orbiting the Earth in another plane, slightly leaned in comparison to the first one. Both planes are only 5° apart. It seems to be a mild inclination, however, it is enough for the shadows of the Moon or Earth to fall out of the other object.