- An eclipse is a fascinating celestial event in which light is momentarily obscured or dimmed as one celestial body moves into the shadow of another. The two main kinds of eclipses that may be seen from Earth are solar and lunar. When the Moon passes in front of the Sun, it can arrange itself in a way that partially or totally blocks the Sun’s light from reaching Earth. This phenomenon is known as a solar eclipse. This phenomenon is only possible when the Moon is exactly between the Sun and the Earth during a new moon phase.
- When the Moon completely obscures the Sun, an umbra (shadow) is cast across the surface of the Earth, known as a total solar eclipse. During daylight hours, observers who are within the restricted line of totality encounter a brief period of darkness. A partial solar eclipse, in which only a section of the Sun is hidden, can be seen outside of this path.
- On the other hand, a lunar eclipse happens when Earth passes in front of the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the latter. This happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are all lined up in a straight line during the full moon phase. When the entire Moon passes through Earth’s umbra during a total lunar eclipse, sunlight is refracted by Earth’s atmosphere, giving the appearance of a reddish-orange moon, a phenomenon known as a “blood moon.”
- When only a portion of the Moon passes into Earth’s shadow, a partial lunar eclipse occurs, causing a partial darkness. Eclipses have been seen and recorded throughout history, impacting myths and cultures all across the world. In addition to their cultural importance, eclipses offer excellent chances for scientific investigation. For example, during solar eclipses, researchers can examine the Sun’s corona, while during lunar eclipses, they can examine Earth’s atmosphere. These occurrences never cease to astound and pique curiosity, spurring further research into celestial dynamics and our place in the cosmos.
The Sun, Moon, and Earth are the three celestial bodies that coordinate to cause eclipses; one body passes into the shadow created by the other. Eclipses can be classified as either solar or lunar, and each has its own unique reasons.
Eclipse of the Sun: When the Moon passes in front of the Sun and blocks all or some of the Sun’s light from reaching Earth, this is known as a solar eclipse. This alignment happens when the Moon is exactly between the Sun and the Earth during a new moon phase. Due to the tilt of the Moon’s orbit with respect to Earth’s orbit around the Sun, solar eclipses don’t happen every month but rather only when certain alignment requirements are met.
Total Solar Eclipse: A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon fully obscures the Sun, leaving the Earth’s surface in shadow. On Earth, this happens along a limited path when spectators witness total darkness during the day.A partial solar eclipse is one in which the Moon only completely covers part of the Sun, as seen from a wider area around the path of totality.
Eclipse of the Moon: When the Earth passes in front of the Sun and the Moon, its shadow falls on the Moon, causing a lunar eclipse. This occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are in a straight line during the full moon phase.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely enters Earth’s umbra, reflecting sunlight through Earth’s atmosphere and giving it a crimson hue.
Partial Lunar Eclipse: A partial darkening occurs when only a portion of the Moon passes through Earth’s shadow.
When the Moon passes exactly between the Earth and the Sun, a shadow is cast on the surface of the Earth, a solar eclipse. Solar eclipses do not happen every month despite the Moon’s orbit around Earth appearing to be regular. This is due to the Moon’s orbital inclination with respect to Earth’s orbit around the Sun. The tilt of the Moon’s orbit, or the ecliptic plane, is around 5 degrees relative to that of the Earth. Because of this, the Moon’s shadow typically bypasses the Earth completely and moves either above or below it.
Solar eclipses only happen when the Moon is in its new moon phase and crosses the ecliptic, the plane of Earth’s orbit, at the same time. Due to this particular alignment, the Moon’s shadow falls on Earth, resulting in either a partial eclipse, in which only a portion of the Sun is covered, or a total eclipse, in which the Sun is entirely covered.
Lunar eclipses happen when the Earth moves in front of the Sun and casts its shadow on the Moon. This occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are in a straight line during the full moon phase. When the Moon is above the horizon during a lunar eclipse, it may be seen from anywhere on Earth’s night side, unlike solar eclipses. As a result, spectators everywhere can now witness lunar eclipses more frequently.
The moon appears reddish-orange during a total lunar eclipse because sunlight is refracted through Earth’s atmosphere, forcing it to pass entirely into the umbra, or deepest area of the shadow—a phenomenon that is commonly referred to as a “blood moon.” When only a portion of the Moon passes into Earth’s shadow, a partial darkening of the Moon occurs during a partial lunar eclipse.
Generally speaking, eclipses are natural occurrences brought about by the solar system’s celestial bodies moving in predictable ways. They offer fascinating views for Earthly observers as well as exceptional chances for scientific research.