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You are here: Home / Science / What’s the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?

What’s the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?

March 25, 2020 by Karen Hill

A solar eclipse happens when the moon’s shadow crosses Earth. A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth’s shadow crosses the moon.

As Earth and the moon rotate, periodically they will fall into a perfectly straight line with the sun—it’s called syzygy. If Earth is in the middle of that lineup, with the sun on one side and the moon on the other, Earth’s shadow falls on the moon, causing a lunar eclipse.

If the moon is in the middle of the line, with Earth on one side and the sun on the other, the moon’s shadow falls on Earth, causing a solar eclipse. Think of the sun as a huge backlight.

Which type of eclipse occurs depends on whether Earth or the moon is in front of the light. They’re both amazing to see. Whereas special eye protection is needed to watch a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is perfectly safe to watch.

Related Facts

  • How do astronomers predict solar eclipses and How often does a total eclipse occur?
  • What Is a Lunar Eclipse?
  • What Is a Solar Eclipse?
  • How Does the Moon Always Keep the Same Face Toward Earth?
  • Why Is There a Simultaneous High Tide On Both Sides of the Earth and What Causes the Tide Generating Force?
  • What Causes the Phases Of the Moon and What Are the Different Phases Of the Moon Called?

Filed Under: Science

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

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