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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

Why do the sun and moon look exactly the same size from the Earth?

Perfect fit … the moon passes in front of the sun in 2012. Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images
Perfect fit … the moon passes in front of the sun in 2012. Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images

The sun is 400 times bigger than the moon but, due to their relative distance from Earth, appear exactly the same size in the sky. Is this pure coincidence and if so what are the chances of this occurring?

Paul Winstanley, London SE15

• Post your answers – and new questions – below or email them to nq@theguardian.com. Please include name, address and phone number

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