Is the Moon tilted in relation to the Earth and Sun?

The Moon is indeed tilted in relation to the Earth and the Sun, and this tilt is approximately 5 degrees. This inclination of the Moon's orbital plane relative to the ecliptic plane – the apparent path that the Sun takes through the sky as seen from Earth – plays a significant role in the occurrence of eclipses. Due to this tilt, the Moon does not always pass precisely in front of or behind the Earth as it orbits, which is why solar and lunar eclipses do not happen every month. This 5-degree tilt ensures that the Moon's orbit is distinct from the Earth's orbit around the Sun, allowing for a variety of celestial phenomena. Understanding this orbital tilt is crucial in grasping the dynamics of lunar phases and eclipses.