Eclipses

Eclipses

occurs when the Earth,

Moon and Sun are
positioned in straight line

causes of the
occurence

types

eclipse of the
Moon
(Lunar Eclipse)

eclipse of the
Sun
(Solar Eclipse)

the Moon and

the Earth are
opaque

light travels in a
straight line

the changing
positions of the
Moon and the
Earth

revolution of
earth around the
Sun

revolution of
moon around the
Earth

LUNAR Eclipse v. SOLAR Eclipse

Types

Eclipse of the Moon

Eclipse of the Sun

Also known
as

Lunar Eclipse

Solar Eclipse

Position of
the Earth,
Moon and Sun

The Earth is between the Moon and the Sun in a straight line.

The Moon is between the Earth and the Sun in a straight line.

Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon.

Earths shadow falls on the Moon.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the whole Moon is in darker shadow
of the Earth.
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when only part of the Moon is in darker
shadow.

Moon blocks sunlight from reaching the Earth.

Moon casts its shadow on a part of surface of the Earth.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon blocks out the Sun entirely.
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon only blocks out a portion
of the Sun.

The Moon appears orange and brownish in colour because a small

amount of the Suns light refracted by the Earths atmosphere and falls
on the Moon during the eclipse.

The Sun appears dark except for a bright ring around the dark disc
(known as corona). Daytime becomes dark and air temperature may
drop.

The duration is longer than the eclipse of the Sun.

The duration is shorter than the eclipse of the Moon.

Total &
Partial
Eclipses
(1)
lighter
shadow
(penumbra)
(2)
darker
shadow
(umbra)

Appearance

Duration

At every full moon phase.

At every new moon phase.
But do not occur every month because the Moon's orbit is tilted five degrees from Earth's orbit around the Sun;
otherwise we would see a lunar eclipse each month.

Should
happen

Naked eyes. When theres a lunar eclipse, anyone on the night side of
Earth can see it. From the side of the Earth experiencing night time.

Can be seen
with

Approved solar filter, or to observe indirectly by projecting the Suns

image with a pinhole or binoculars. When theres a solar eclipse, only
visible on certain part of the world and daylight becomes dark during
the total eclipse.

Solar Eclipses Diagrams

Lunar Eclipses Diagrams