How to Read

 

www.mreclipse.com

A lunar eclipse can only occur when the moon is full. As the Moon orbits the Earth, we see different moon shapes called phases. The full moon phase occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth compared to the Sun. A lunar eclipse is created when the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow. The earth’s shadow is composed of two components, one inside the other. The outer or penumbra shadow is where the Earth blocks part but not all of the sunlight from reaching the Moon. The inner or umbra shadow is where all direct sunlight is blocked. (Note: Lunar Eclipses are safe to view.)

Types of Lunar Eclipse

Moon passes through penumbral only picture

Although the moon is completely in the umbra during a total lunar eclipse, you still see the moon. Indirect sunlight reaches the Moon because of the Earth’s atmosphere. As sunlight travels through the atmosphere it is bent or refracted around the Earth so that a small fraction of light illuminates the Moon. The atmosphere also filters out most of the blue colored light so that the light reaching the moon has a red or orange color. During a total lunar eclipse, you see a vibrant reddish-orange full moon. picture

Next Total Lunar Eclipses Visible in Chicago Area:

December 21, 2010

Solar Eclipses

www.mreclipse.com

 A solar eclipse can only occur when the moon is new. As the Moon orbits the Earth, we see different shapes called phases. The new moon phase occurs when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth. Due to the apparent sizes of the Moon and Sun in the sky, when the Moon passes between the Earth and Sun some or all of the Sun is blocked by the Moon. Total solar eclipse are very rare events because it is only seen in locations where the Moon's umbra shadow touches the Earth's surface. This is known as the path of totality. Many people travel to remote locations in order to observe a total solar eclipse. (Note: It is never safe to view the sun with the unaided eye. During a total solar eclipse, you can safely view the Sun during totality when the Moon is completely covering the Sun.) During a total solar eclipse, you see a ring of light. picture

Next Total Solar Eclipse Visible in United States:

Click HERE to see Path of Totality.