A total lunar eclipse begins as the full moon is shadowed by the Earth on the arrival of the winter solstice, Tuesday, December 21, 2010 in Arlington, VA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Here on Earth, there are only two types of eclipse: lunar and solar. Other planets may have several different types: lunar, solar, and planetary depending on where you are in the solar system. All that has to happen is that three celestial bodies are in a straight line and the diameter of the nearer body is able to occlude that of the farther. Eclipses have been the center of many spiritual ceremonies throughout human history. It is still common to study the phenomenon. To help you do just that, here are a few links to articles that we have here on Universe Today that are all about eclipse.
Jumping into a set of links can be, well, frankly, boring unless you have a clue as to what is in there, so here are a few interesting facts about eclipse to help get you motivated.
A lunar eclipse can only happen when the Moon is full. Despite its name, a lunar eclipse Moon’s light is not being blocked, because it does not generate any light of its own.
There are four types of solar eclipses.
Eclipse is another name for a transit that is only applied to the Earth, Sun, Moon system.
There are many more interesting facts about eclipse in the links below and there is more information to be had about the facts presented here. Universe Today has many related articles that you can search if you have a thought that takes you in a tangent. Hopefully, you find everything that you need here and, as always, enjoy your research.
- Annular Eclipse
- Annular Solar Eclipse
- Solar Eclipse
- Moon Eclipse
- What is an Eclipse?
- Solar Eclipse Pictures
- Eclipse Pictures
- What is a Lunar Eclipse?
- What is a Solar Eclipse?
- Total Eclipse
- What Happens During a Lunar Eclipse?
- What Happens During a Solar Eclipse?
- Umbra
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