What conditions are required for a solar eclipse?
A)The phase of the Moon can be new or full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun.
B)The phase of the Moon must be new, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun.
C)The phase of the Moon must be full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun.
D)The phase of the Moon must be full, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic.
E)The phase of the Moon must be new, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In order for a solar eclipse to occur, the Moon must be in its new phase and the nodes of its orbit must be nearly aligned with the Earth and the Sun. The nodes are the two points where the Moon's orbit intersects with the ecliptic (the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun). Therefore, option B - "The phase of the Moon must be new, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun" - is the correct choice.

What Conditions Are Required for a Solar Eclipse