Expert: Paul Wagner - 1/19/2010

Question
With Earth's moon in orbit being tilted 5 degrees, what is the effect of this? What i mean is what effect does this have on the illumination of the moon?  

Answer
HI Catherine

The tilt in the moon's orbit doesn't really have much effect.  When you think of it, it is almost hard to see such a small difference with the naked eye.

And remember that the orbit is inclined with relation to the Earth's equator---which is inclined by much more to the ecliptic.  If all were perfectly aligned, then we would see an eclipse of the sun and moon every month!

Paul  Wagner