ECLIPSES

What is an eclipse?
• An eclipse occurs any time something passe
s in front of the Sun, blocking its light. This
can be the Earth or the Moon.
 Types of eclipses
• Lunar Eclipse- When the Earth casts a shadow
on the moon, causing the moon to go dark.

Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon

and casts a shadow on the Moon (Full Moon
)

• Solar Eclipse- When the Moon casts a shadow

on the Earth, causing the sun to go dark.

The Moon comes between the Sun and Earth and

• Umbra – The dark inner portion of the sh
adow cone.
• Penumbral – the lighter outer portion of t
he shadow.
 3 Types of Solar Eclipses

1. Total Solar Eclipse

2. Partial Solar Eclipse
3. Annular Solar Eclipse
Total Solar Eclipse – can only occur if you are at the
exact spot within the moon’s umbra (which isn’t ver
y big).
Solar
Eclipse
Partial Solar Eclipse – Visible if you are in the penu
mbra of the shadow. Only some of the Sun will be b
locked by the Moon
Annular Eclipse – occurs when the moon is farthest fro
m the Earth in its orbit. This makes the moon look small
er, so during the eclipse you see an outer ring of light fr
om the Sun.
 Here is an animation showing a total solar eclipse

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

This animation shows that the moon creates a small shadow which
Only allows certain areas of the earth to see a total solar eclipse.
The diagram shows
Lunar Eclipse
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
 3 Types of Lunar Eclipses

1. Total Lunar Eclipse

2. Partial Lunar Eclipse
3. Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
Total Lunar Eclipse – when the Moon passes completel
y into the Umbra, or total shadow of the Earth.
Partial Lunar Eclipse – Occur when the Moon does n
ot fully move into the Umbra
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse – When the moon passes o
nly through the penumbra, or partial shadow. They a
re barely visible.
This is an animation showing a total lunar eclipse from start
To finish.
 Why Don’t We See Lunar
Eclipses More Often?
• Lunar eclipses don’t happen every month be
cause the Moon’s orbit is tilted. So, during
most months, the Moon is above or below t
he Earth.