Eclipses
Solar and lunar eclipses: how the Sun, Earth and Moon line up, and why it does not happen every month.
- Total Solar EclipseA total solar eclipse is the Moon's darkest shadow, the umbra, landing on Earth.
- Annular Solar EclipseAn annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon is at or near its farthest point, so it looks smaller than the Sun and leaves a bright ring.
- Partial Solar EclipseA partial solar eclipse happens when only the Moon's outer shadow, the penumbra, reaches Earth, so the Sun is covered in part and never fully.
- Total Lunar EclipseA total lunar eclipse happens when the entire Full Moon passes into the darkest part of Earth's shadow.
- Partial Lunar EclipseA partial lunar eclipse happens when only part of the Full Moon passes through the dark inner part of Earth's shadow.
- Penumbral Lunar EclipseA penumbral lunar eclipse happens when the Full Moon passes through only the faint outer part of Earth's shadow.
- Why Most New Moons Bring No Solar EclipseThe Moon's orbit is tilted about five degrees, so at most New Moons its shadow passes above or below Earth.
- Why Most Full Moons Bring No Lunar EclipseMost Full Moons pass above or below Earth's shadow because the Moon's orbit is tilted about 5 degrees.
- Watching Eclipses SafelyOnly the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse is safe to watch without eye protection.