Answers are in blue.

1. When the Moon is at First Quarter ...

a. it is above the ecliptic.
b. it is below the ecliptic.
c. it is on the ecliptic.
d. it is 90° to the east of the Sun.
e. None of the above.

2. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes into the Earth's shadow, which can only happen when ...

a. the Moon is full.
b. the Moon is new.
c. the Moon is above the ecliptic.
d. the Moon is below the ecliptic.
e. None of the above.

3. For a total solar eclipse, ...

a. the Moon must be new.
b. the Moon is on the ecliptic.
c. the line of nodes must point to the Sun.
d. the Moon's angular size must equal or exceed the Sun's.
e. All of the above.

4. Why don't lunar eclipses happen every month?

a. The Moon's orbit is not circular.
b. The Earth's orbit is not circular.
c. The Moon's orbital plane is tilted from the ecliptic plane.
d. The Sun is not always in the ecliptic.
e. None of the above.

5. If the Moon passes right through the center of the Earth's shadow, the next lunar eclipse will occur ...

a. in one year.
b. in one lunar month.
c. in three lunar months.
d. in six lunar months.
e. None of the above.

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Last modified 17 February, 2007. © Gregory C. Sloan.