Earth revolves around the Sun and the moon around the Earth.The moon’s orbit is inclined by 5 degrees to the plane of earth orbit around the sun.
Solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes in between the sun and the earth.
Total Solar eclipse: A total solar eclipse occurs only if the moon comes in between the sun and earth and if all are exactly in straight line blocking completely the sunlight. The viewers can see a total solar eclipse if they are in the umbral region.
Umbra means shadow.
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Sun and moon are not exactly in line and the moon only partially obscures the Sun. You can see a partial solar Eclipse in the penumbral shadow.
Annular solar eclipse occurs when the Sun and moon are exactly in line, and the moon at its furthest point in orbit appears smaller than that of the Sun. It does not completely cover the Sun dick,instead it covers most of the sun,leaving its outer edge visible as a thin ring of light.
The Umbra region is the innermost part of the shadow where all sunlight is blocked by the moon.
Penumbra region is that part of the shadow where all sunlight is partially blocked.
Antumbra region is that part of the shadow
where the moon appears within the disc of light.
Lunar eclipse occurs when the earth comes in between the sun and moon. It occurs on a full moon.
Total Lunar Eclipse A total lunar eclipse occurs, when the earth comes between the sun and the full moon in exactly straight line and blocks completely the moon.
Partial Lunar eclipse: A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and Moon, but they do not form a perfectly straight line. It is observed at night.
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: The Moon passes through Earth’s penumbral shadow region.
Lunar eclipses occur more readily than solar eclipses,because the moon is much closer to the earth (well over 300 times closer than the Sun!), so the earth has a much greater chance of blocking sunlight from the moon, compared to the moon blocking light from the sun. Also, a lunar eclipse can be seen from a greater portion of the earth. Solar eclipses, on the other hand, are rarer and when they do happen can only be seen by a very narrow segment of people on Earth, for a short period of time.
It is quite safe to watch a lunar eclipse with the naked eye, while watching a solar eclipse without eye wear protection can seriously damage your eyesight.
Zia Ahmed Khan,e-mail: khanziaahmed50@gmail.com
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