Eclipses: Solar and Lunar

Eclipses occur when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align, causing one to cast a shadow on the other. There are two main types of eclipses: solar and lunar, each with distinct features.

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon comes between the Sun and Earth during a new moon. It can be total, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun; partial, when only part of the Sun is covered; or annular, when a bright ring of the Sun is visible around the Moon. Solar eclipses are rare at any single location, and it is important never to look at them directly without protection.

A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth comes between the Sun and Moon during a full moon. It can be total, turning the Moon reddish (“blood moon”); partial, when only part of the Moon darkens; or penumbral, when a faint shadow appears. Lunar eclipses are safer to watch and are visible from anywhere it is nighttime.

Eclipses do not happen every month because the Moon’s orbit is tilted relative to Earth’s orbit. These events have fascinated humans for centuries and are important for scientific observation. They remind us of the precise movements of celestial bodies in our solar system.