Ciencia
What is the key difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse, and how do they occur?
The difference lies in which celestial body blocks the path of the light.
- Solar eclipse: The Moon passes exactly between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow onto our planet and obscuring the Sun’s disc. It only occurs during the new moon phase.
- Lunar eclipse: The Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the sunlight that illuminates our Moon and casting a shadow over it. It only occurs during the full moon phase.
- Solar eclipse: The Moon passes exactly between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow onto our planet and obscuring the Sun’s disc. It only occurs during the new moon phase.
- Lunar eclipse: The Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the sunlight that illuminates our Moon and casting a shadow over it. It only occurs during the full moon phase.