Solar and

Lunar
Eclipses
 ECLIPSE
• An eclipse occurs
any time
something passes
in front of the
Sun, blocking its
light. This can be
the Earth or the
Moon.
• Umbra – The dark inner portion of the
shadow cone.
• Penumbra – the lighter outer portion of
the shadow.
Solar Eclipse
• Sun’s light is blocked by the Moon
• Moon’s shadow on Earth
• Moon is in between the sun and Earth
 A solar eclipse occurs only
during which phase of the moon?

New
Moon
Solar Eclipse
Total Solar Eclipse – It occurs when
the Moon completely covers the Sun
Partial Solar Eclipse – It happens when the
Moon only partially covers the disk of the Sun.
 Annular Eclipse – occurs when the moon is farthest
from the Earth in its orbit. This makes the moon look
smaller, so during the eclipse you see an outer ring of
light from the Sun.
Here is an animation showing a total solar eclipse

Remember that it is not safe to stare at a solar eclipse !!!

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon
passes through Earth’s shadow.
 A lunar eclipse occurs only
during which phase of the moon?

Full
Moon
 Lunar Eclipse
The diagram shows that the moon is
covered by the Earth’s shadow, which
makes this eclipse safe to look at.
Notice the moon sometimes turns red
when totality occurs.
If you are in the umbra of the shadow, you will see a total eclipse.
If you are in the penumbra of the shadow, you will have a partial eclipse
 Total Lunar Eclipse – when the Moon passes
completely into the Umbra, or total shadow of the Earth.
Partial Lunar Eclipse – It occurs when the Moon
does not fully move into the Umbra
This is an animation showing a total lunar eclipse from start
To finish.
 Why Don’t We See
Eclipses More Often?
• Eclipses don’t happen every month
because the Moon’s orbit is slightly tilted.

Ecliptic plane
Moon’s orbital plane
1. 2.

Solar Eclipse Lunar Eclipse

1 3 2 4
8
7
5 9
6 10
 Superstitious
False
beliefs about eclipse?
True

False

True
True
Superstitious Superstitious
beliefs about eclipse? beliefs about
eclipse:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.