What is Lunar and Solar Eclipses? | Types, Definition, Structure, Function & Facts

What is an Eclipse?

An eclipse eclipse occurs when an object in space prevents an observer from seeing another object in space. From Earth, there are two main types of solar eclipses: solar eclipses and lunar eclipses.

What is an Solar Eclipse

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun, casting shadows over parts of the Earth. Solar eclipses are not seen from anywhere on Earth, but only from places where there are shadows. From these places, it looks like the Sun has turned black.

There are three main parts of the Moon’s shadow during a solar eclipse called the shadow, the penumbra, and the antumbra.

Umbra – The Shadow is the part of the Moon’s shadow where the Moon completely covers the Sun.

Antumbra – Shaded area outside the shadow point. Here, the Moon lies completely in front of the Sun, but does not completely obscure the Sun. The outline of the Sun can be seen around the shadow of the Moon.

Penumbra – Shadow region with only part of the Moon in front of the Sun.

Types of Solar Eclipses

Depending on which part of the shadow you are in, there are three types of eclipses:

Total – A total solar eclipse is a phenomenon in which the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon. The part of the Earth that is in shadow will experience a total solar eclipse.

Annular Eclipse – An annular eclipse occurs when the Moon obscures the Sun, but the Sun is visible at the Moon’s edge. An annular eclipse occurs when the viewer is in the antumbra.

Partial – A partial eclipse occurs when only part of the Sun is obscured by the Moon. This happens when the observer is in the dark.

Don’t Look at A Solar Eclipse

We must warn you here never to look directly into the eclipse. Even though it looks darker, the sun’s harmful rays can still damage your eyes.

What is an Lunar Eclipse

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow. Lunar eclipses have three phases or three types like eclipses, including darkness (total), antumbra (annular) and penumbra (partial).

A lunar eclipse can be seen by a much larger area on Earth than a solar eclipse. They can also be viewed without special equipment to protect the eyes. A lunar eclipse is not completely dark. The Moon will reflect some of the sunlight refracted by the Earth’s atmosphere. The refracted light is reddish in color and can cause the Moon to appear dark reddish brown.

Eclipses in Ancient Times

Eclipses have been observed and recorded by astronomers since ancient times by civilizations such as the ancient Babylonians and the ancient Chinese. Eclipses are often considered a sign from the gods.

Interesting Facts about Eclipses

The word “eclipse” comes from the Greek word “ekleipsis” which means “to surrender” or “to fall”.

The longest duration of a solar eclipse is seven and a half minutes. The most number of solar eclipses of any kind that can occur on Earth in a year is five.

A total solar eclipse occurs about once every 1.5 years.

Animals sometimes become confused and behave strangely during total solar eclipses.