Lunar Solar Eclipses THE BASICS The moons orbit

Lunar & Solar Eclipses

THE BASICS: The moon's orbit 
around Earth is slightly 
tilted with respect to 
the orbit around the 
sun. As a result, the moon 
travels above and 
below Earth's orbit. But on rare occasions, 
Earth, the moon, and 
the sun line up.

Penumbra and Umbra- the central, darker part of the 
shadow where light is totally blocked. Penumbra- the lighter part of a shadow 
where light is partially blocked.

Two Types of Eclipses: SOLAR From the Latin word "sun" LUNAR From the Latin word "moon"

SOLAR ECLIPSES During a new moon, the moon lies between Earth and the sun. A 
solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between 
the Earth and the sun, blocking 
sunlight from Earth. The moon's 
shadow then hits Earth. You can only see a solar eclipse if you are in the path of the 
umbra or penumbra. If you are outside the umbra and penumbra, 
you cannot see the eclipse at all.

Two Types of Solar Eclipses TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE You can only see a total solar 
eclipse if you are within the 
moon's umbra. During a total solar eclipse, 
the moon appears to 
completely cover the sun. 
The sky becomes dark, and 
you can see stars. A total 
solar eclipse lasts about 7 
minutes. PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE You can see a partial solar 
eclipse if you are within 
the moon's penumbra. The moon never 
completely covers the sun 
during a partial solar 
eclipse.

Total Solar Eclipse from 
Earth (in the umbra) Partial Solar Eclipse from Earth 
(in the penumbra) The view of a solar eclipse 
from sp

Lunar Eclipse Earth also casts a shadow 
into space. As the moon 
revolves around Earth, it 
sometimes moves into 
Earth's shadow. When this happens, we get a 
lunar eclipse. (The Earth is 
between the moon and 
sun) During a lunar eclipse, Earth 
is in a line between the sun 
and moon. This can only 
happen during the full moon 
phase.

Just like the moon, Earth's shadow also 
has an umbra and a penumbra. Different 
types of lunar eclipses occur depending 
on which part of Earth's shadow the 
moon moves through.

Unlike solar 
eclipses, lunar 
eclipses can be 
seen from any 
place on Earth 
where it is 
nighttime.

Two Types of Lunar Eclipses TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE When the entire moon moves through the Earth's 
umbra. You can still see the moon 
here, but some of the light 
reflects off Earth's 
atmosphere/sunlight which 
gives the moon a reddish 
tint during a total lunar 
eclipse. PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE When only part of the 
moon passes through the 
Earth's umbra. The moon is never 
completely covered by 
Earth's umbra. The part of 
the moon in the Earth's 
umbra appears much 
darker.

Partial Lunar Eclipses
(part of the moon is in 
Earth's umbra) Total Lunar Eclipse 
where the entire moon is 
in the Earth's shadow. 
Light reflecting makes it 
look red.

Why don't lunar and solar 
eclipses occur every month? Lunar eclipses only occur during a full moon 
when the Earth is between the sun and moon 
AND when they are all in a perfe line (not 
slightly above or below) Solar eclipses can only occur during a new moon 
when the moon is between the sun and Earth 
AND when they are all in perfect line (not 
slightly above or below)

http: //www. brainpop. com/science/space/eclipse/

LUNAR ECLIPSE SOLAR ECLIPSE BOTH