📚 Learning Guide
Lunar Eclipse Phases
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Which of the following statements accurately describe the phases of a lunar eclipse? Select all that apply.

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Choose the Best Answer

A

The Moon turns red during a total lunar eclipse due to atmospheric scattering of light.

B

The penumbral shadow causes the Moon to completely disappear from view.

C

The Earth's umbra is responsible for the darkest part of the shadow, leading to a total eclipse.

D

The phases of a lunar eclipse can help determine the relative sizes of the Earth and Moon.

E

A lunar eclipse only occurs when the Moon is in its new phase.

Understanding the Answer

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Answer

A lunar eclipse begins when the Moon first slips into Earth’s penumbral shadow, causing a subtle dimming that lasts until the Moon starts to touch the darker umbra. The next phase is the partial eclipse, when only part of the Moon enters the umbra and a darker crescent or “bite” appears. If the alignment is perfect, the Moon then becomes fully engulfed in the umbra, producing a total eclipse where the Moon turns a reddish color. Finally the Moon exits the umbra and returns to the penumbra before emerging into full daylight. These four stages—penumbral, partial, total, and exit—are the standard phases of a lunar eclipse.

Detailed Explanation

When the Moon moves into Earth's umbra, it can look red because the Earth's atmosphere bends sunlight, a process called scattering. Other options are incorrect because The penumbral shadow only makes the Moon a bit dimmer, like a light gray shade; A lunar eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up with Earth in the middle.

Key Concepts

Lunar Eclipse Phases
Shadow Casting
Atmospheric Scattering
Topic

Lunar Eclipse Phases

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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