Eclipses were often thought to be signs from the gods. The light that is refracted is reddish in color and can cause the Moon to appear a dark brownish-red.Įclipses have been tracked and recorded by astronomers since ancient times by such civilizations as the Ancient Babylonians and the Ancient Chinese.
The Moon will reflect some sunlight that is refracted by the Earth's atmosphere. They also can be viewed without special equipment to protect the eyes. Lunar eclipses can be seen by a much larger area of the Earth than solar eclipses. The Moon passes through the Earth's shadow. Lunar eclipses have the same three phases or types as solar eclipses including the umbra (total), antumbra (annular), and penumbra (partial). Even though it appears darker, the harmful rays of the Sun can still damage your eyes.Ī lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow. We should warn you here to never look directly at a solar eclipse. It occurs when the observer is within the penumbra. Partial - A partial eclipse is when only a portion of the Sun is blocked by the Moon.An annular eclipse occurs when the viewer is within the antumbra. Annular - An annular eclipse is when the Moon covers the Sun, but the Sun can be seen around the edges of the Moon.The portion of the Earth that is in the umbra experiences a total eclipse. Total - A total eclipse is where the Sun is covered completely by the Moon.Penumbra - The area of the shadow where only a portion of the Moon is in front of the Sun.ĭepending on what part of the shadow you are located in, there are three types of eclipses:.The outline of the Sun can be seen around the shadow of the Moon. Here the Moon is completely in front of the Sun, but doesn't cover the entire Sun. Antumbra - The area of the shadow beyond the point of the umbra.Umbra - The umbra is the portion of the Moon's shadow where the Moon completely covers the sun.There are three main parts of the Moon's shadow during an eclipse called the umbra, penumbra, and antumbra.
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