What is an Eclipse ?
The term eclipse comes from the Greek word ékleipsis means to fail or abandon.
Depending on whether if the Sun or Moon does not give light, then we call this phenomenon a solar or lunar eclipse.
The Moon does not have its own light, it shines because its surface reflects the Sun’s rays. A lunar eclipse can be viewed from the entire night side half of the Earth. Solar eclipses occur at any one particular point on the Earth’s surface.
Modern computers can also predict solar eclipses several years ahead with high accuracy. In this article, we look at 10 differences between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse.
Differences between Solar eclipse and Lunar eclipse
Basis of differentiation
Solar eclipse
Lunar eclipse
Definition
The solar eclipse is the one in which the moon is in between the earth and the sun
The lunar eclipse is the one in which the Earth is in between the sun and the moon
Frequency
Occurs once in 18 months
Occurs twice a year
Duration
Lasts for about 5-7 minutes
Lasts for an hour
Location
Witnessed in a few places
Witnesses in many places
Timing
Occurs during day-time
Occurs during night-time
Timing w.r.t moon phase
The solar eclipse happens in the new moon phase
The lunar eclipse happens in the full moon phase
Health hazards
If directly seen through the naked eyes then there are high chances of losing vision as it damages the retina
Witnessing lunar eclipse with bare eyes is harmless compared to the solar eclipse
Appearance
A bright disk of sunlight is seen around the new moon.
The moon appears slightly reddish in color
| Basis of differentiation | Solar eclipse | Lunar eclipse |
| Definition | The solar eclipse is the one in which the moon is in between the earth and the sun | The lunar eclipse is the one in which the Earth is in between the sun and the moon |
| Frequency | Occurs once in 18 months | Occurs twice a year |
| Duration | Lasts for about 5-7 minutes | Lasts for an hour |
| Location | Witnessed in a few places | Witnesses in many places |
| Timing | Occurs during day-time | Occurs during night-time |
| Timing w.r.t moon phase | The solar eclipse happens in the new moon phase | The lunar eclipse happens in the full moon phase |
| Health hazards | If directly seen through the naked eyes then there are high chances of losing vision as it damages the retina | Witnessing lunar eclipse with bare eyes is harmless compared to the solar eclipse |
| Appearance | A bright disk of sunlight is seen around the new moon. | The moon appears slightly reddish in color |
What is Solar Eclipse?
Solar Eclipse is known as the eclipse of the sun, it occurs when the moon comes in between the sun and the earth.
The moon blocks the light of the sun from reaching the earth’s surface, this occurs on a new moon phase. We can see up to 5 solar eclipses per year.
Types of solar eclipse
- Partial: When the moon does not align completely with the sun and only a portion of the sunlight is blocked from reaching the earth.
- Annular: When the moon covers the sun but still sun can be seen around the edges of the moon giving an impression of the sun is a bright ring surrounding the dark disc of the moon.
- Total: When the sun is completely covered by the moon, the sky becomes so dark it seems to appear like night. But, this happens in only a small spot on the Earth.
What is Lunar Eclipse?
When the Earth comes in between the sun and the moon then the moon is eclipsed. The light that reached the moon’s surface is blocked, hence the moon cannot give light. It occurs on a full moon day. Up to 3 lunar eclipses per year.
Types of lunar eclipse
- Partial: When some part of the moon moves into the shadow of the earth.
- Total: When the sun, the Earth, and the moon are directly in line then the Earth casts its shadow on the full moon.