Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse

The two types of eclipses are solar eclipse and lunar eclipse

Solar eclipse:

A solar eclipse is said to occur when the shadow of the Moon falls upon the Earth. In that case the Moon comes in between the Sun and the Earth on a new moon day. During eclipse, when the Sun appears to be completely covered by the Moon, people in certain parts of the Earth cannot see the Sun at all. It is called total solar eclipse. Again when the Sun is seen partly covered by the Moon from the Earth, it is called partial solar eclipse.

Lunar eclipse:

An eclipse of the Moon is called lunar eclipse. On a full moon night the lunar eclipse is said to occur when the Sun, the Earth and the Moon appear in a straight line.

In that situation the shadow of the Earth fall upon the Moon. When the Moon is completely within the shadow of the Earth, total lunar eclipse occurs and the Moon becomes invisible from the Earth. If the shadow of the Earth falls partly upon the Moon’s surface, a partial lunar eclipse is observed from the Earth.

What is the difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse?

Solar and lunar eclipses have few basic differences. During solar eclipse the Moon comes in between the Sun and the Earth. So solar eclipse occurs only on a new moon day on the other hand, a lunar eclipse occurs on a full moon night, when the Earth comes in between the Sun and the Moon.

But we cannot find a solar and a lunar eclipse on every new moon day and full moon night because these three celestial bodies do not appear in a single straight line on every new moon day and full moon night.

Fifth Grade

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