Lunar Eclipse Definition
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into Earth's shadow. For example, a total lunar eclipse completely covers the Moon with Earth's shadow.
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Solar & Lunar Eclipses
Fun Facts
- Lunar eclipses can occur only when the Moon is full.
- Total lunar eclipses occur about once every two years.
- A Blood Moon appears reddish during a total lunar eclipse.
Why Do We Need To Know About Lunar Eclipse
Learning about lunar eclipses helps us see why space scientists, called astronomers, find them exciting. These scientists study space and learn about distant planets by watching how they move in front of stars, blocking some of their light, which looks a bit like an eclipse from far away.
This technique has helped find more than 2000 planets, and some of these could even have life, like the planet Kepler 62F. So, understanding eclipses is not just cool, but it’s also key to finding new worlds and maybe even life outside our planet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out the Full Lesson on Solar & Lunar Eclipses
In this lesson, we learn that:
- A model of the solar system can explain eclipses of the sun and the moon.
- A solar eclipse happens when our view of the sun is blocked by the moon.
- A lunar eclipse happens when the moon passes into Earth's shadow.
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