Lunar Eclipse

- A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly

behind the Earth into its umbra (shadow). This can
occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned
(in "syzygy") exactly, or very closely so, with the Earth
in the middle. Hence, a lunar eclipse can only occur the
night of a full moon. The type and length of
an eclipse depend upon the Moon's location relative to
its orbital nodes. Unlike a solar eclipse, which can only
be viewed from a certain relatively small area of the
world, a lunar eclipse may be viewed from anywhere on

the night side of the Earth. A lunar eclipse lasts for a

few hours, whereas a total solar eclipse lasts for only a
few minutes at any given place, due to the smaller size
of the moon's shadow. Also unlike solar eclipses, lunar
eclipses are safe to view without any eye protection or
special precautions, as they are no brighter (indeed
dimmer) than the full moon itself.

Eclipse Diagram

Before Eclipse

Mid Eclipse

The setting red moon takes center stage in this photo of

the total lunar eclipse of June 15, 2011 snapped by sky
watcher David Matthews on Cagraray Island in Albay,
Philippines.
The total lunar eclipse of June 15, 2011 turns the moon a
blood-red hue as steam rises from the Mayon volcano on
Cagraray Island, Albay in the Philippines. Skywatcher
David Matthews snapped this photo just before moonset
during the eclipse.

Types of Lunar Eclipse

A penumbral eclipse occurs when the Moon passes

through the Earths penumbra.

- A special type of penumbral eclipse is a total
penumbral eclipse, during which the Moon lies

exclusively within the Earths penumbra.

A partial lunar eclipse occurs when only a portion of

the Moon enters the umbra.

- When the Moon travels completely into the Earths
umbra, one observes a total lunar eclipse.