GED Science Practice

Which celestial body is affected by a lunar eclipse?

1. Sun

2. Earth

3. Jupiter

4. Mars

The correct answer is: Sun

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. In this scenario, the Moon is the celestial body that is affected, as it is obscured by the Earth's shadow during the eclipse. Therefore, the Moon experiences a change in illumination, typically taking on a reddish hue due to the scattering of sunlight through the Earth's atmosphere—a phenomenon often referred to as a "Blood Moon." The Earth plays a crucial role in facilitating a lunar eclipse, as it is the body that blocks the sunlight from reaching the Moon. The Sun remains unaffected in the context of a lunar eclipse, while celestial bodies like Jupiter and Mars are not involved in the process. Thus, Earth is directly tied to the occurrence of a lunar eclipse because it is the source of the shadow cast on the Moon.