Eclipses
There are two different eclipses – a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse. Usually there are two of each in a year.
Lunar Eclipse
A lunar eclipse happens at a Full Moon. The Earth is between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon’s surface. This is only visible to us if the exact time of the full Moon occurs during the night in our time zone. The culmination of tension and agitation at this time is very powerful.
There are three kinds of lunar eclipse: total, partial and penumbral
Total Lunar Eclipse
During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon moves through the centre of the Earth’s shadow. At mid-eclipse, the entire Moon is in shadow, which may make the Moon appear blood red.
Partial Lunar Eclipse
During a partial lunar eclipse, the Earth moves between the Sun and Moon but they do not form a perfectly straight line. A small part of the Moon’s surface is covered by the darkest, central part of the Earth’s shadow – the umbra.
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
During a penumbral lunar eclipse, the diffuse outer shadow of Earth falls on the Moon’s face. This kind of lunar eclipse is very subtle and much more difficult to observe than the total or partial eclipse. It is the least spectacular eclipse to view. At best, at the peak of the eclipse, you will notice a dark shading on the Moon’s face.
Solar Eclipse
A solar eclipse occurs at a new Moon. The Moon sits between the Earth and the Sun blotting out the Sun’s light. This is only visible to us if the exact time of the new Moon is during the day in your time zone and your location is in the path of the eclipse.
There are three kinds of solar eclipse: total, partial and annular
Total Solar Eclipse
During a total solar eclipse, the Sun, Moon and Earth are in a direct line. It is only visible from a small area on Earth, the line of totality is in the centre of the Moon’s shadow when it hits Earth. The sky goes dark for a short period of time.
Partial Solar Eclipse
During a partial solar eclipse, the Sun, Moon and Earth are not exactly aligned. A dark shadow will appear on a small part of the Sun’s surface.
Annular Solar Eclipse
During an annular solar eclipse, the Moon is farther away so it appears smaller. It does not block the entire view of the Sun creating a ring of sunlight around the Moon.
