Our Solar System
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Lunar eclipse

A l
unar eclipse occurs when the full moon moves through Earth’s shadow, which only happens when Earth is between the Moon and the Sun and all three are lined up in the same plane.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Full Moon and blocks the Sun's direct rays from lighting up the Moon.

Partial lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves between the Sun and the Full Moon, but they are not precisely aligned. Only part of the Moon's visible surface moves into the dark part of the Earth's shadow.

Lunar eclipses are more easily observed than solar eclipses, as they can be viewed with the naked eye by any observer situated where the Moon is above the horizon.

As such, a total eclipse can be seen from any given location — on average — once every 2,5 years.


A

L

N

C