![]() This shadow means that the only light hitting the Moon is from light bent by the atmosphere of the Earth, creating a red glow on the surface of the Moon. Total lunar eclipses are the ones that look the most visually interesting and, unlike total solar eclipses, are much easier to see! These eclipses happen during a full moon, when the Earth is blocking the Sun from the Moon. These eclipses also last longer because the Earth casts a larger shadow. Lunar eclipses are very similar to solar eclipses, except the Earth is the one casting the shadow. Sometimes, even when it passes directly in front of the Sun, the Moon is too close to the Sun to block the entire disc, which creates an annular eclipse. However, the Moon isn’t always the same distance between the Earth and the Sun. So, at minimum, there should be at least two solar eclipses per year. The Moon orbits the Earth at an angle sometimes it’s a bit too high, other times a bit too low. Image credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio. In order to see an eclipse, the Moon has to be positioned just right (bottom image). The problem is our three-body system isn’t perfect.įor most of the year, the Moon is positioned either “too high” (top image) or “too low” to cast a shadow on Earth. Even if it’s only partial near you, surely somewhere on Earth there should be one every new moon. If the Moon orbits the Earth once per month, you might be wondering why there isn’t a total solar eclipse every month. Within the Umbra, viewers will see a total eclipse within the penumbra, viewers will see a partial eclipse. When the Moon blocks the Sun, it creates a solar eclipse. However, these events are rare, especially if you cannot travel to see one! In order for a total solar eclipse to happen, the Moon must be in its new moon phase and the observer must be in the path of totality, where the Moon blocks the entire Sun (not just part of it that would be a partial solar eclipse!). This is when the Moon completely covers the Sun and the world is plunged into near darkness. ![]() Total solar eclipses are the most stunning of eclipses. Both rely on light from the Sun being blocked and casting a shadow, but what makes them different is where the human observer is positioned. There are two types of eclipses: solar and lunar. This marvel of geometry is worth exploring to understand the different types of eclipses and how often they occur. Eclipses are a marvel of our Solar System, and it’s only due to the precise alignment of the Sun-Earth-Moon system that they happen at all. ![]()
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