Science behind Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse.
                     SCIENCE BEHIND 
SOLAR ECLIPSE AND 
LUNAR ECLIPSE
WHAT IS AN ECLIPSE?
An eclipse happens when a planet or a 
moon gets in the way of the Sun’s light. 
Here on Earth, we can experience two 
kinds of eclipses: solar eclipses and lunar 
eclipses.
Source: spaceplace.nasa.go
Solar Eclipse
A Solar Eclipse is a natural phenomenon 
that happens when the moon comes 
between the sun and the earth and blocks 
the sun for a short interval of time.
Source: physicsinmyview.com
Eye Protection
During a solar eclipse, directly looking at 
the sun can cause serious eye damage or 
even permanent blindness; therefore, it is 
generally advised to view a solar eclipse 
wearing special eye protection.
Source: spaceplace.nasa.go
How Often Do Solar Eclipses 
Occur?
• A Solar Eclipse occurs only during the 
lunar phase called “The New Moon”. 
• Solar Eclipse generally occurs at least 2 
times a year or at most 5 times a year
Source: physicsinmyview.com
Science Behind The Solar 
Eclipse 
• The first phenomena is the elliptical 
revolution of the moon around the earth 
and the elliptical revolution of the earth 
around the sun. 
• As a result of the clockwise elliptical 
motion; the sun, the moon, and the earth 
come inline with each other.
Source: physicsinmyview.com
Types Of Solar Eclipse
• The Total Solar Eclipse
• The Annular Solar Eclipse
• The Partial Solar Eclipse 
• The Hybrid Solar Eclipse
Source: physicsinmyview.com
Lunar Eclipse
• During a lunar eclipse, Earth gets in the 
way of the sun’s light hitting the moon. 
• That means that during the night, a full 
moon fades away as Earth’s shadow 
covers it up.
Source: spaceplace.nasa.gov
Science Behind The Lunar 
Eclipse
• The moon circles Earth every month, but 
because it has a tilted orbit, it rarely 
passes through Earth's shadow.
• However, about twice a year, the moon 
passed through the shadow. That’s when 
lunar eclipse took place.
Source: physicsinmyview.com
Types of Lunar Eclipse
• first, traveling directly through Earth's 
outer shadow, known as the penumbral. 
At this point, the moon will darken 
substantially.
• In a partial lunar eclipse, part of the Moon 
is within the Earth's umbral shadow. 
• A total lunar eclipse is when the Moon is 
completely shadowed by the Earth.
Source: physicsinmyview.com
How Often Do Lunar Eclipses 
Occur?
• At least two lunar eclipses and as many as 
five occur every year, although total lunar 
eclipses are significantly less common. 
• If the date and time of an eclipse is 
known, the occurrences of upcoming 
eclipses are predictable using an eclipse 
cycle.
Source: physicsinmyview.com