AAS Random Astro-Facts

Thanks to the American Astronomical Society, throughout Global Astronomy Month, we will be featuring a Random Astronomy Fact everyday! Come back daily or tune into our social media channels to find out what is the fact of the day!

Cosmic coincidence: Sun is about 400 times bigger than Moon and about 400 times farther away.

Why no solar eclipse at every new Moon? Moon's orbit is tilted, so Moon usually misses Sun.

Solar eclipse occurs when Moon comes between Earth and Sun. Can happen only at new Moon.

Biggest astronomical event of 2017 occurs on August 21st: "Great American" solar eclipse!