Monday, February 25, 2013

How often do moons eclipse one another?


Question by Arex: How often do moons eclipse one another?
In my fantasy book series, the world I write about has got two moons. I thought it would be fun to build a festival around a idea where once a year one of the moons eclipses the other. Scientifically, how far-fetched is this idea? For instance on Mars, do Phobos and Deimos ever eclipse one another and how often does it happen? I'm not opposed to stretching the truth just a bit since it is a fantasy book, but if it's completely scientifically ludicrous or impossible, I'd rather not include it. Thanks for the help


Best answer:
Answer by Big DaddyMartian moons are very different from the earth's moon. I don't think they're relevant.

There's no particular reason that some moons around a planet couldn't undergo periodic or semi-periodic eclipses. The idea that a earth-like planet may have two or more large moons may be the less likely aspect.

But we don't have a lot of samples (just the planets in this solar system) to judge by. So having eclipsing moons in a story isn't beyond any plausibility limit that I'd worry about.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!







Does the November 28, 2012 lunar eclipse have prophetic significance? Exactly 65 years ago, just before the UN General Assembly voted to partition Palestine and give land to the Jews, a penumbral lunar eclipse occurred. This very same type of eclipse occurred last night before the UN General Assembly is to vote on upgrading Palestine's status and therefore recognize them as a state and therefore possibly divide the land of Israel. Simply interesting... or prophetic? You decide. But watch my video first ;)
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Total Solar Eclipse | Solar Eclipse Information

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