Eclipse

In astronomy, an eclipse occurs when an astronomical object is temporarily covered by another body, either by passing into the shadow of another body or by having another body pass between the astronomical object and the observer. A syzygy is a celestial alignment in which three celestial objects are in perfect alignment with one another. Along with the term syzygy, the term eclipse is also used to describe a situation in which a spacecraft is in a position from which it can observe two celestial bodies aligned. An eclipse occurs as a result of either an occultation (when the sun is entirely veiled) or a transit (when the sun is seen) (partially hidden).

Eclipses are classified into several categories.

Traditionally, eclipses are classified into two categories: partial and total. Solar eclipses are caused when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun.

Solar Eclipse

When the moon passes between the earth and the sun during the course of their motion, the moon’s shadow falls on the ground. This is defined as a solar eclipse.

Types of solar eclipses:

Total solar eclipse: 

A total solar eclipse can be seen from a small portion of the Earth’s surface. When the Moon’s shadow touches the Earth, the people who see the total eclipse are in the middle of the Moon’s shadow. The sky darkens dramatically, as if it were nighttime outside. In order for a total eclipse to occur, the Sun, Moon, and Earth must all be in direct line with one another.

Partial Solar Eclipse

It is possible to have a partial solar eclipse when the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth are not completely aligned. It appears that the Sun is casting a dark shadow on a small portion of its surface.

Annular solar eclipse: 

Annular solar eclipse:  Because the Moon is farther away, it appears to be smaller in proportion. It does not completely obstruct the view of the Sun. The Moon seems to be a dark disc on top of a larger Sun-colored disc when it is in front of the Sun. As a result, the Moon appears to be surrounded by a ring of light.

Every 18 months, a solar eclipse will occur somewhere on the planet. Solar eclipses, in contrast to lunar eclipses, are brief, lasting only a few minutes.

Don’t ever look directly at the Sun; doing so can cause lasting harm to your vision! When viewing any form of solar eclipse, you must ensure that you are well protected.

Lunar eclipse

A lunar eclipse formation is possible when the Moon passes through the shadow cast by the Earth. When the Sun, Earth, and Moon are precisely or very closely aligned with one another and the Earth between the other two, and only on the night of a full moon, this can occur, but it is extremely rare.

There are several different types of lunar eclipses.

Penumbral lunar eclipse

During the lunar eclipse, the Moon passes through the Earth’s penumbra. The Earth’s penumbra creates a mild dimming of the lunar surface, which is only apparent to the human eye when approximately 70% of the Moon’s diameter has been immersed in the penumbra of the planet Earth. A total penumbral lunar eclipse is a form of penumbral eclipse in which the Moon is completely enclosed by the Earth’s penumbra, which is a rare occurrence. There are very few total penumbral eclipses that occur every year; however, when they do, the area of the Moon closest to the umbra may appear a little darker than the remainder of the lunar disc.

Partial lunar eclipse

A partial lunar eclipse occurs when only a section of the Moon passes through the umbra of the planet, whereas a total lunar eclipse occurs when the entire Moon passes through the umbra of the planet. Because the Moon’s typical orbital speed is approximately 1.03 km/s (2,300 mph), or a little more than its diameter every hour, totality may last up to roughly 107 minutes on a clear night. The entire duration between the first and last interactions of the Moon’s limb with the Earth’s shadow, on the other hand, is significantly longer and might last up to 236 minutes.

Total lunar eclipse

This occurs when the moon is completely enclosed by the earth’s umbra (shadow). The brightness of the lunar limb, which is also known as the curved edge of the moon that is still receiving direct sunlight, will cause the rest of the moon to appear relatively dark just before the moon’s complete entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. If a total eclipse of the moon takes place, its whole surface becomes brighter and more or less uniformly illuminated. Later, when the opposite limb of the moon is illuminated by sunlight, the whole disc of the moon will become veiled once more. 

Central lunar eclipse

During this total lunar eclipse, the Moon passes into the centre of Earth’s shadow, contacting the antisolar point, and the Sun is completely obscured. This particular form of lunar eclipse is relatively uncommon.

Conclusion

Whenever one heavenly body, such as the moon or a planet, passes through the shadow of another heavenly body, it is called an eclipse. It is possible to cast a shadow when light from a source is incident on an opaque object. In astronomy, an eclipse is either a solar eclipse, which occurs when the Moon’s shadow crosses the Earth’s surface, or a lunar eclipse, which occurs when the Moon moves into the shadow of Earth.