What Is a Lunar Eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the sun and the earth. When the earth passes directly between the moon and the sun, a lunar eclipse occurs.

A lunar eclipse can happen only when the moon is full, because then it is on the other side of the earth from the sun. The earth casts a long shadow through space.

As the full moon passes into this shadow, people on earth can see the edge of the earth’s shadow as it passes across the moon. The curve of the earth’s shadow as it passes across the moon was one of man’s first signs that the earth is round.

In any year, there may be no lunar eclipses or as many as three. No lunar eclipse can last more than 104 minutes.

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One Comment

  1. Eclipse 2010
    Posted 2009/12/31 at 7:29 pm | Permalink

    I believe you all are aware of Eclipse 2010 that’s taking place on 15th January 2010. Don’t miss this annular solar eclipse, it’s gonna be wonderful,

    We are in the hunt of that eclipse and this is the blog of that.

    Annular Solar Eclipse 2010

    Thanks

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