Question

Explain solar eclipse and lunar eclipse with a help of a diagram.

Answer 1

Solar eclipse

1. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, thereby obscuring Earth's view of the Sun, totally or partially.
2. Such an alignment coincides with a new moon indicating the Moon is closest to the plane of the earth's orbit In a total eclipse.
3. The disk of the Sun is fully obscured by the Moon. In partial and annular eclipse only part of the Sun is obscured.

Lunar eclipse

1. Lunar eclipses occur when the earth aligns between the sun and the moon and casts a shadow across the lunar surface.
2. A lunar eclipse only happens during a full moon and can last as long as six hours.

There are three types of lunar eclipses depending on how the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned at the time of the eclipse.

1. Total lunar eclipse.
2. Partial lunar eclipse .
3. Penumbral lunar eclipse.
4. Penumbral eclipse begins: This first stage is not that noticeable to the naked eye and occurs when the penumbral shadow begins to move across the moon.
5. Partial eclipse begins: The umbra begins to cover the moon. This is usually the first part of the eclipse visible to the naked eye.
6. Total eclipse begins: As the umbra completely covers the lunar surface, the moon turns a blood-red color.