Our universe is more than billions of years old, and we have explored about 4% of this vast and seemingly endless space. Our galaxy is the site of many fascinating and inexplicable cosmic events. Examples of these are solar and lunar eclipses, which are celestial events that have fascinated humans for thousands of years. Luckily, there’s a clear scientific explanation for why these eclipses happen.
Both occur when the sun, earth, and moon align in such a way that one celestial body blocks light from reaching the other. This is the only similarity between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse. These two phenomena are fundamentally different.
Today we will explore the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse. But before we start, let’s understand what they are.
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What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse is a phenomenon that occurs when the moon is so aligned that it is directly between the sun and the earth. It then blocked sunlight from reaching Earth, plunging the planet into complete darkness for a few seconds. NASA explains that when the moon blocks light from reaching the planet, it is called a total solar eclipse; and when it blocks only a certain portion of sunlight from reaching Earth, it is called a partial solar eclipse.
This is a diagram explaining the solar eclipse phenomenon.
Source: NASA
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What is a solar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse is a phenomenon that occurs when the sun, earth and moon are all aligned, causing the planet to block sunlight from reaching the moon. NASA explains that when a total lunar eclipse occurs, the entire moon is submerged in the deepest region of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra. When the moon is in the dark, it turns red. For this reason, lunar eclipses are often called “blood moons.”
This is a diagram explaining the lunar eclipse phenomenon.
Source: Date and Time
Now that we know what a solar, lunar, and solar eclipse are, let’s move on to the differences between them.
Difference Between Solar Eclipse and Solar Eclipse
Here is the difference between solar eclipse and lunar eclipse.
|
eclipse |
lunar eclipse |
|
|
Align |
The moon is located between the sun and the earth. |
The Earth is located between the sun and the moon. |
|
Frequency of occurrence |
It happens every 1.5 years or 18 months. |
It happens twice every year. |
|
Period |
There is a short time. Usually lasts about a few minutes. |
Takes longer time. Usually lasts about an hour. |
|
Stage |
It occurs during the new moon phase. |
It occurs during the full moon phase. |
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It is worth mentioning that it is not safe to view the solar eclipse with the naked eye. Harmful rays can damage your retina. On the other hand, lunar eclipses are quite safe to observe.
The first penumbral lunar eclipse of 2023 will occur in a week. This eclipse will be visible from Asia, Europe, Africa and the Pacific.
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Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: pagasa.edu.vn