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Definition of an Eclipse
• Solar Eclipse– the moon interrupts light from the sun
• Lunar Eclipse– the earth interrupts light shining on the moon
Size of the Shadows
• Solar Eclipse– Sun 400x Larger than Moon, but is also 400x
Farther away– Moon and Sun seem similar size when aligned, so
the Moon can obscure the sun
• Lunar Eclipse– Earth’s shadow blocks sunlight on the Moon
Frequency
• Lunar Eclipses – occur every 6 months, and total lunar eclipses normally
come in sets of three, followed by three partial eclipses. The total eclipse can last from a few minutes to several hours.
• Solar Eclipses– can occur two to five times a year, but the majority are
partial eclipses. – Total eclipses occur about once every 18 months, and affect
a very limited area. The maximum coverage of the solar disk lasts between 6 and 7.5 minutes.
Schedule• In 2014 there are two solar and two lunar eclipses:
– 2014 Apr 15: Total Lunar Eclipse– 2014 Apr 29: Annular Solar Eclipse– 2014 Oct 08: Total Lunar Eclipse– 2014 Oct 23: Partial Solar Eclipse
• Eclipses can only occur during a “Full Moon” (lunar) or a “New Moon” (solar)
• Why do you think there aren’t 12 solar and 12 lunar eclipses per year?
The Moon’s orbit is not always on the Ecliptic Plane
http://www.astrologyclub.org/articles/nodes/nodes.htm
NASA Eclipse Website
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2011.html
Summary – 3 types of lunar eclipses