Luminous and non-luminous(umbra

and penumbra)
Umbra refers to the darkest and central part of a shadow
where sunlight is completely blocked by an opaque object. It
is the region of total darkness that occurs when light is
blocked by an object. In astronomy, umbra is also used to
describe the innermost, darkest part of a shadow cast by an
astronomical body during an eclipse, such as the Moon's
umbra during a solar eclipse.

Penumbra refers to the partially shaded outer region of a

shadow, where light is only partially blocked. It is formed
when an object partially blocks the direct light source,
creating a region of reduced illumination. In astronomy, a
penumbra is the less dark, outer part of a sunspot. The term
can also be used metaphorically to describe a state of partial
illumination or understanding.

 The Umbra is the darkest and innermost part of a shadow,

where the source of light is completely blocked. It is a
region of total darkness.
 The Penumbra is the lighter, outer part of a shadow,
where the light source is only partially blocked. It is a
region of partial darkness.
 The Umbra is created when an opaque object is placed
directly in front of a light source, blocking all the light from
reaching a surface behind it.
 The Penumbra is formed when there is an area of partial
obstruction between the light source and the surface,
allowing some light to filter through.
 The transition between the Umbra and Penumbra is
gradual, with the Penumbra becoming less dark the further
away it is from the object creating the shadow.
 During a solar eclipse, the Umbra is the region where the
Moon completely blocks the Sun, creating a total eclipse.
 The Penumbra in a solar eclipse is the area where only part
of the Sun is blocked by the Moon, resulting in a partial
eclipse.
 The Umbra and Penumbra are also seen in lunar eclipses
when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon,
causing the Moon to go dark.

 Objects form shadows because they obstruct the path of

light. When light rays from a source (such as the sun or a
lamp) hit an object, some of the rays are absorbed by the
object, while others are reflected or scattered. The areas
of the object where light is absorbed appear dark
compared to the surrounding areas where the light is not
obstructed. These darker areas are what we perceive as
shadows.
 To understand this process, it is helpful to consider the
principles of light and how it interacts with objects. Light
travels in straight lines called rays. When rays of light
encounter an object, they can interact with its surface in
different ways:
 Absorption: Some materials or colors have the property to
absorb light energy. When light comes into contact with
such an object, it absorbs specific wavelengths of light
while reflecting or scattering others. The absorbed light
does not continue beyond the object, resulting in a dark
region behind it.
 Reflection: Other objects have surfaces that reflect light
rays. When light falls on these objects, it bounces off their
surfaces, changing direction but remaining in the same
medium. Reflected light can create bright regions
surrounding an object, creating a contrast with the
shadow.
 Diffusion/Scattering: Some objects have surfaces that
scatter or disperse incoming light in various directions. This
random scattering of light can create a more diffuse or
softened shadow compared to objects with surfaces that
reflect light more directly.
 The area where light is blocked or absorbed by an object is
what causes the formation of a shadow. The presence of
light is necessary for shadows to appear, as without a light
source, there would be no rays to interact with objects and
create contrast. The size, shape, and intensity of the
shadow depend on several factors, including the angle and
distance between the object, the light source, and the
surface upon which the shadow is cast.
 Hence, shadows are a result of the interactions between
light, objects, and the surfaces on which shadows are cast.
They play a fundamental role in perceiving depth, shape,
and the relative position of objects in our surroundings.
 This happens because light travels in straight lines and
cannot pass through opaque objects. When light rays hit
an object, they bounce off or are absorbed by the object.
 If there is a light source, such as the Sun or a lamp, casting
light towards an object, it illuminates one side of the
object while the other side remains in shadow. This is
because the light rays are blocked by the object, causing a
lack of illumination on the opposite side.
 The shadow is then formed on the surface behind the
object, as the light rays that were initially traveling in a
straight line are interrupted by the obstruction of the
object. The shape and size of the object determine the
shape and size of the shadow cast behind it.
 The intensity and clarity of the shadow depend on various
factors, including the size, shape, and distance of the
object from the light source, as well as the characteristics
of the surface on which the shadow is cast.