What are the different types of lunar eclipses?
1 Answer
Nov 11, 2015
There are penumbral, partial, and total eclipses.
Explanation:
An eclipse occurs as the moon passes through the shadow of the Earth. Since the Sun is not a point source, it casts a shadow in two parts, the umbra, or complete shadow, and the penumbra, a partial shadow. The umbra occurs where the entire sun is blocked by the Earth. The penumbra occurs where a portion of the sun remains visible.
If the moon only enters the penumbra, we call that a penumbral eclipse.
If the moon passes through the penumbra and enters the umbra of the shadow, that is a partial eclipse.
Finally, if the entire moon enters the umbra, then a total eclipse has occurred.
