What are at least 3 similarities and differences between a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse? During what phases of the moon do a solar and lunar eclipse occur?
1 Answer
Dec 8, 2017
A solar eclipse can only happen at a new moon and a lunar eclipse can only happen at a full moon.
Explanation:
A solar eclipse can only happen at a new moon when the Sun, Moon and Earth are aligned so that the shadow of the Moon falls on the Earth's surface.
A lunar eclipse can only happen at a full moon when the Sun, Earth and Moon are aligned so that the shadow of the Earth falls on the Moon surface.
Similarities
- Every year there are at least 2 of each type of eclipse.
- There can be up to 5 of each type of eclipse in a year, but the total number of eclipses is at most 7.
- The Moon's orbit is inclined at
#5^@# to that of the Earth. So an eclipse can only occur when the Moon is near one of its nodes where the two orbits intersect. - All eclipses of both types can be predicted with great accuracy.
Differences
- Solar eclipses happen at new moon. Lunar eclipses happen at full moon.
- Solar eclipses are only visible from a narrow strip of land over which the Moon shadow passes. Lunar eclipses are visible from the whole nighttime hemisphere.
- Solar eclipses can be total, annular, hybrid or partial. Lunar eclipses can be total, partial and penumbral.
- Solar eclipses can only be safely be viewed with the naked eye during totality. Lunar eclipses can always be safely viewed with the naked eye.
- The Moon's surface can't be seen during a solar eclipse, but it can be during a lunar eclipse.
