Solar and Lunar Eclipse – Formation and Types

Solar and lunar eclipse

 Key Concepts

• Formation of solar eclipse
• Formation of lunar eclipse

Definition: 

Light is a form of energy that travels in a straight line. It is a mechanical wave and can travel through vacuum. 

Important points of light energy: 

1. Light is the form of energy. 

2. Light can travel through the vacuum. 

3. Light can travel at the speed of 3 x 10⁸ m/s. 

4. Light has energy particles called photons. 

5. Light is the major component that contributes to the humans’ sense of sight. 

Sources of light: 

There are two sources of light energy:  

1. Natural sources of light 

2. Artificial sources of light 

Mediums of propagation: 

There are three mediums of propagation of light, they are:  

1. Transparent medium 

2. Translucent medium 

3. Opaque medium 

Parts of Shadows: 

Umbra: 

Umbra is the darkest region which is present in the central region of the shadow. 

Penumbra: 

The penumbra is the outermost part other than the central region. It is less dark than the Umbra. 

Explanation

Formation of the solar eclipse: 

When the moon comes in between the sun and the earth, it is said that the moon is covering the sun as the former is an opaque object. 

Important points of solar eclipse: 

1. Moon orbits in between the sun and the earth. 

2. It appears that the moon is covering the sun as the moon is an opaque object 

3. For the occurrence of the solar eclipse, the sun, moon, and earth should be in the same line. 

Types of solar eclipse: 

There are three types of solar eclipse  

1. Total solar eclipse 

2. Partial solar eclipse 

3. Annular solar eclipse  

Total solar eclipse: 

When the moon completely covers the sun, and it appears that it is blocked fully by the moon, this phenomenon is called a total solar eclipse. 

Partial solar eclipse:  

When the moon partially covers the sun, and it appears that it is blocked partially by the moon, this phenomenon is called a partial solar eclipse. 

Annular solar eclipse: 

When the moon completely blocks the sun, the distance between the moon and the earth reduces. The moon may not cover the sun entirely which results in formation of a bright ring on the outer part of the moon called the “ring of fire.” This phenomenon is called an annular solar eclipse. 

Formation of lunar eclipse: 

A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth comes in the sun’s path, and the moon, the sun, and the earth come in one line.  

Important points of lunar eclipse: 

1. Earth orbits in between the sun and the moon. 

2. It appears that the earth is covering the moon. 

3. For the occurrence of the lunar eclipse, sun, moon and earth should be in the same line. 

Types of lunar eclipse: 

1. Total lunar eclipse (umbra shadow) 

2. Partial lunar eclipse (penumbra shadow) 

Total lunar eclipse (umbra shadow): 

The total lunar eclipse occurs when the earth’s shadow is cast on the moon. The umbra part of the shadow of the earth covers the moon completely. The moon appears to be red as a result of the reflection of the sunlight from the earth’s shadow.  

Partial lunar eclipse: 

The partial lunar eclipse occurs when the earth’s shadow is cast on the moon. Some part of the earth’s shadow covers the moon partially. 

Penumbra lunar eclipse: 

The partial lunar eclipse occurs when the earth’s shadow is cast in the moon. The penumbra part of the shadow of the earth partially covers the moon.  

Summary:

Formation of the solar eclipse:

When the moon comes in between the sun and the earth, it is said that the moon is covering the sun as the moon is an opaque object.

Important points of solar eclipse:

1. Moon orbits in between the sun and the earth.
2. It appears that the moon is covering the sun as the former is an opaque object.
3. For the occurrence of the solar eclipse, the sun, the moon and the earth should be in
   the same line.

Formation of Lunar eclipse:
A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth comes between the sun’s path, and the moon, the sun, and the earth should be in one line. Important points of solar eclipse:

1. Earth orbits in between the sun and the moon.
2. It appears that the earth is covering the moon.
3. For the occurrence of the lunar eclipse, the sun, the moon and the earth should be in
   the same line