Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Integrated Science (024) Practice Exam

What is a lunar eclipse?

1. Blocking of sunlight to Earth

2. Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon

3. The Moon blocks the Sun from Earth

4. Moon phases that occur during a solar eclipse

The correct answer is: Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth's shadow to fall on the Moon. This alignment results in the Moon being obscured from the sunlight that normally reflects off its surface, allowing observers on Earth to see the eclipse as the moon darkens or takes on a reddish hue due to the scattering of sunlight through the Earth's atmosphere. The phenomenon is distinct from a solar eclipse, where the Moon blocks sunlight from reaching the Earth. Understanding this distinction is crucial for grasping how celestial bodies interact during eclipses. The correct choice accurately describes the relationship and positioning of the Earth, Sun, and Moon during a lunar eclipse, while other options describe different astronomical events or concepts unrelated to this specific occurrence.