So what is a lunar eclipse?
These eclipses are actually remarkably simple considering how interesting and dynamic they can be. Basically, the Earth's shadow blocks most of the sunlight from directly illuminating all -- or a portion -- of the moon's surface.
The moon has been Earth's trusty sidekick for billions of years. And as it endlessly cruises around our planet, once in a while this scrappy satellite precisely aligns within Earth's shadow, taking on an eerie, reddish glow. And what's this phenomenon known as? A lunar eclipse, of course.
Earth generates two cone-shaped shadows: The umbra is the dark, center shadow, and the outer, more diffused one is known as thepenumbra. The penumbra encases the umbra. Both these cones are cast out from behind the sunlit side of the planet. Consequently, lunar eclipses only occur during the full moon phase(when the moon and the sun are on opposite sides of the Earth). Solar eclipses are possible only during the new moon phase (when the moon plays "monkey in the middle" between the sun and Earth).
These eclipses are actually remarkably simple considering how interesting and dynamic they can be. Basically, the Earth's shadow blocks most of the sunlight from directly illuminating all -- or a portion -- of the moon's surface.
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| Digital composites like this one are becoming popular ways to capture the progression of phenomena like lunar eclipses |
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