315. If the Earth and Sun were equally big, the Earth’s shadow would be infinitely extended, and all of the same breadth; and the Planet Mars, in either of its nodes and opposite to the Sun, would be eclipsed in the Earth’s shadow. Were the Earth bigger than the Sun, it’s shadow would increase in breadth the farther it was extended, and would eclipse the great Planets Jupiter and Saturn, with all their Moons, when they were opposite to the Sun. But as Mars in opposition never falls into the Earth’s shadow, although he is not then above 42 millions of miles from the Earth, ’tis plain that the Earth is much less than the Sun; for otherwise it’s shadow could not end in a point at so small a distance. If the Sun and Moon were equally big, the Moon’s shadow would go on to the Earth with an equal breadth, and cover a portion of the Earth’s surface more than 2000 miles broad, even if it fell directly against the Earth’s center, as seen from the Moon: and much more if it fell obliquely on the Earth: but the Moon’s shadow is seldom 150 miles broad at the Earth, unless when it falls very obliquely on the Earth, in total Eclipses of the Sun. In annular Eclipses, the Moon’s real shadow ends in a point at some distance from the Earth. The Moon’s small distance from the Earth, and the shortness of her shadow, prove her to be less than the Sun. And, as the Earth’s shadow is large enough to cover the Moon, if her diameter was three times as large as it is (which is evident from her long continuance in the shadow when she goes through it’s center) ’tis plain, that the Earth is much bigger than the Moon. [Sidenote: The primary Planets never eclipse one another. PLATE X.] 316. Though all opake bodies on which the Sun shines have their shadows, yet such is the bulk of the Sun, and the distances of the Planets, that the primary Planets can never eclipse one another. A Primary can eclipse only it’s secondary, or be eclipsed by it; and never but when in opposition or conjunction with the Sun. The primary Planets are very seldom in these positions, but the Sun and Moon are so every month: whence one may imagine that these two Luminaries should be eclipsed every month. But there are few Eclipses in respect of the number of New and Full Moons; the reason of which we shall now explain. [Sidenote: Why there are so few Eclipses. The Moon’s Nodes. Limits of Eclipses.]