ECLIPSES

What is an eclipse?
An eclipse occurs when one object in
space blocks an observer from seeing
another object in space. From Earth
there are two main types of eclipses: solar
eclipses and lunar eclipses
Solar Eclipse
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon
passes in front of the Sun causing a
shadow to fall on certain portions of the
Earth.
The eclipse is not seen from every place
on Earth, but only from the locations where
the shadow falls. From these locations, it
appears as if the Sun has gone dark.
 Parts of an eclipse
 There are three main parts of the Moon's shadow
during an eclipse
 •Umbra - The umbra is the portion of the
Moon's shadow where the Moon completely
covers the sun.
 •Antumbra - The area of the shadow beyond
the point of the umbra. Here the Moon is
completely in front of the Sun, but doesn't cover
the entire Sun. The outline of the Sun can be seen
around the shadow of the Moon.
 •Penumbra - The area of the shadow where
only a portion of the Moon is in front of the
Sun.
Types of eclipses
 Depending on what part of the shadow you are
located in, there are three types of eclipses:
 •Total - A total eclipse is where the Sun is
covered completely by the Moon. The portion of the
Earth that is in the umbra experiences a total eclipse.
 •Annular - An annular eclipse is when the Moon
covers the Sun, but the Sun can be seen around the
edges of the Moon. An annular eclipse occurs when
the viewer is within the antumbra.
 •Partial - A partial eclipse is when only a portion
of the Sun is blocked by the Moon. It occurs when
the observer is within the penumbra.
Total Solar Eclipse
 http://www.neok12.com/video/Eclipse/zX
4b6c1b075601767a515e63.htm
Lunar Eclipse
 A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes
through the Earth's shadow. Lunar eclipses
have the same three phases or types as solar
eclipses including the umbra (total), antumbra
(annular), and penumbra (partial).
 Lunar eclipses can be seen by a much larger
area of the Earth than solar eclipses. They also
can be viewed without special equipment to
protect the eyes. Lunar eclipses are not totally
dark. The Moon will reflect some sunlight that is
refracted by the Earth's atmosphere. The light that
is refracted is reddish in color and can cause the
Moon to appear a dark brownish-red.
 http://
www.neok12.com/video/Eclipse/zX027e
52507b754877644063.htm