How do lunar and solar eclipses occur?
Lunar and Solar Eclipses Occurs
The term eclipse is defined as a situation that arises in outer space when one celestial body tends to cover fully or partially another celestial body. That is, if one astronomical object comes under the shadow of another astrological object, then that whole scenario is known as an eclipse.
As we know, the Sun and Moon are the two celestial bodies that are visible quite clearly from the Earth. Hence, if by any means the display of those two as viewed from the earth is changed, we will know it for sure.
There are two eclipses:
Lunar Eclipse:
As we all know, the moon itself does not have any light of its own. The light is borrowed from the sun’s light rays. This means that the moon is visible to the living organisms on earth by the sun’s light, which is reflected from its surface.
However, if the sun’s light rays are blocked, or to say it more simply, if the earth’s shadow covers up the sun’s light, then a Lunar Eclipse occurs.
However, some more conditions give a perfect lunar eclipse :
Firstly, the event takes place only on a full moon. The alignment of the moon, earth, and sun should be the same. i.e., they must fall in a straight line.
Working of the eclipse:
The moon, earth, and sun are in a straight line, in the same order. Therefore, the shadow cast by the earth, ie, the umbra and the penumbra, fall on the moon. When the moon passes through these shadows, first through penumbra then through the umbra. As soon as the moon reaches the umbra position, an entire lunar eclipse is created as seen from the surface of the earth.
2. Solar eclipse:
When we talk about celestial bodies having their light or not, we should understand that none of the planets and their natural satellites have a light source. Hence, the sun is the only star that is providing light to all planets and satellites, including Earth.
The Solar Eclipse is somewhat similar to the Lunar Eclipse as well. Whenever the moon travels between the sun and the earth, such that the sun’s light rays are blocked, a ring is formed around the blocking area. The event is known as the solar eclipse.
Additional conditions for a proper solar eclipse:
The alignment of the moon, earth, and sun should be the same. i.e., they must fall in a straight line/near-straight-line format.
Working of the eclipse:
The earth, moon, and sun are in a straight line, in the same order. The size of the moon is much smaller compared to that of the sun. The illusion is created when the moons fall into the small with the earth and sun. In this manner, almost entire sun rays are blocked. Due to its size, the moon cannot cover the whole sun. Hence, the light rays are seen to shine around the blocked surface in the shape of a circular ring. Hence, a Solar eclipse is formed.
– Written By GODHULI MONDAL
