Tag: eclipses

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly behind the Earth into its umbra (shadow). This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned exactly, or very closely so, with the Earth in the middle. Hence, a lunar eclipse can only occur the night of a full moon. The type and length of an eclipse depend upon the Moon's location relative to its orbital nodes.
Unlike a solar eclipse, which can only be viewed from a certain relatively small area of the world, a lunar eclipse may be viewed from anywhere on the night side of the Earth. A lunar eclipse lasts for a few hours, whereas a total solar eclipse lasts for only a few minutes at any given place, due to the smaller size of the Moon's shadow. 
Every year, there are at least two lunar eclipses and as many as five, although total lunar eclipses are significantly less common. 

Solar eclipse can occur only on a new moon day & a lunar eclipse can occur only on the night of a full moon.

When the sun, earth and moon come in straight line it causes eclipses.

A solar eclipse is caused when moon comes between sun and earth and moon casts a shadow over earth. 

The outer rim of the sun which is visible in an annular solar eclipse is called corona.

Lunar eclipse occur whenever the moon passes into the shadow of earth. Solar eclipse occur when the new moon eclipse slips in front of the sun and blocks it from view. This moon's shadow then falls upon the earth.

During lunar eclipse position of sun and moon will be in the same line. In this configuration both sun and moon will not be visible.

Solar eclipse occurs when moon comes between earth and sun.

Lunar eclipses are more common than solar eclipse.