An eclipse takes place when one celestial body such as a moon or planet moves into the shadow of another celestial body.
Lunar Eclipse
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the Sun’s light so that Earth’s shadow hits the Moon casting a shadow over the Moon. This can only occur during a Full Moon.
Total Lunar EclipseLunar eclipses occur when Earth's shadow blocks the sun's light, which otherwise reflects off the Moon. There are three types of lunar eclipses— total, partial and penumbral. The most dramatic is a total lunar eclipse, in which Earth's shadow completely covers the moon.
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Lunar and solar eclipses occur with about equal frequency (number). Lunar eclipses are more widely visible because Earth casts a much larger shadow on the Moon during a lunar eclipse than the Moon is capable of casting on the Earth during a solar eclipse. As a result, you are more likely to see a lunar eclipse than a solar eclipse.
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Solar vs. Lunar
Eclipse
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Topic Tips
- A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the Sun’s light so that Earth’s shadow temporarily covers the Moon.
- Lunar eclipses can only occur during a Full Moon phase.