Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse

This article briefly explains solar and lunar eclipse along with differences between the two. Read to know more about them.

Eclipse

For ages, people have been considering an eclipse as a matter of superstition and unusual. Still, scientists discovered that an eclipse occurs in the space where one heavenly body is covered or shadowed by the other. This happens everywhere and with the planet and its moons, but scientists focus mostly on the two eclipses that happen on earth as it allows them to study the sun and moon more deeply.

As per the scientists, the moon’s surface cools rapidly, and this information helps them access the material that has formed the surface of the moon. Two major types of eclipses occur around the earth, solar eclipse and lunar eclipse, both of which are discussed below.

Solar Eclipse

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon blocks the sun’s light coming towards earth. This happens when the moon comes between the earth and the sun, causing a solar eclipse. During this event, the moon not only blocks the sun’s light but also casts its shadow on the earth. It is a major event for scientists as well as people having certain beliefs. As per Hindu mythology, many restrictions are practised during the period of a solar eclipse. It should be noted that solar eclipse is not to be seen with naked eyes as it damages the body, and one should always use safety equipment before doing the same. There are three types of solar eclipse discussed below.

Total solar eclipse- The event of a total solar eclipse occurs when the sun, the moon and the earth are in a straight line creating a blockage in the light of the sun coming towards earth and casting a shadow. It is visible to a limited portion of people on earth, mostly those who live closer to the centre of the place where the moon casts its shadow, and the place is covered with darkness even during daytime

Partial Solar eclipse- This is a situation where the straight-line concept does not occur. There is no straight alignment in a partial solar eclipse, and the sun appears as if there is a shadow on its surface

An annular Solar eclipse occurs when the moon is at a possible distance from the earth and appears the smallest of its size. In such a scenario, the moon cannot cover the whole sun and acts as a small disc in front of it

Lunar Eclipse

Everyone knows that the earth orbits the sun, and the moon orbits the earth. During this continuous process, sometimes the earth falls between the sun and the moon, causing a blockage of light from the sun towards the moon. This leads to the earth’s shadow falling on the moon resulting in a lunar eclipse.

A lunar eclipse occurs only on a full moon day and causes total darkness on the moon’s surface because the sun, which is the only source of light for it, is blocked by the earth. The frequency of a lunar eclipse is more than a solar eclipse, and it is not as damaging to the naked eyes as a solar eclipse. There are two major types of solar eclipses discussed below.

Total Lunar Eclipse- A total solar eclipse is a fascinating event for earthlings because it is when the moon appears red to people. This event occurs when the earth is between the sun and moon straight, and only partial light reaches the moon

Partial Lunar Eclipse- In the event of a partial lunar eclipse, only some portion of the moon is covered by the earth’s shadow, which fluctuates as per the alignment of the three heavenly bodies

Difference between Solar and Lunar eclipse

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon falls between the sun and earth.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth falls between the moon and the sun.

These are of three types, total, partial and annular.

These are of two types, total and partial.

A solar eclipse always occurs during the daytime.

A lunar eclipse always occurs during the night.

It occurs less frequently.

It occurs at least twice a year.

It can damage the naked eye.

It is safe to look at.

It is present for a few minutes.

It stays for a few hours.

Conclusion

Both the solar and lunar eclipse events are of equal importance to science and the people on earth. A lot of research is going on regarding the changes that occur on the three bodies during this process and is a matter of fascination for people on earth as people are getting to know more of it every day, the superstitions around it are getting waived off. People should look at it like an outer space event contributing to scientific development and space exploration.