Moon clouds. The illuminated area of the visible sphere (degree of illumination) is given by formula_3, where formula_4 is the elongation (i.e., the angle between Moon, the observer (on Earth) and the Sun). The gravitational attraction that masses have for one another decreases inversely with the square of the distance of those masses from each other. As a result, the slightly greater attraction that the Moon has for the side of Earth closest to the Moon, as compared to the part of the Earth opposite the Moon, results in tidal forces. Tidal forces affect both the Earth's crust and oceans. The
Solar eclipses on the Moon Solar eclipses on the Moon Solar eclipses on the Moon are caused when the Earth passes in front of the Sun, blocking its light. Viewers on Earth will see a lunar eclipse. The solar eclipses are only seen in the Nearside portion and smaller parts of the Farside where the Earth is seen during librations, making up the visible portion of the Moon and eclipses there are seen during the lunar sunrise and sunset as well as furthermost areas of the Nearside but mainly not in the polar areas of the Moon. As the Moon revolves around the Earth, the