Learn About: Difference between Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse & Upcoming Dates
Eclipse: An
obscuring of the light from one celestial body.
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| Lunar eclipse vs Solar Eclipse |
Definition
of Solar Eclipse
(TFS) - Solar
Eclipse, as the name suggest, is the shadowing of the sun by the moon. It takes
place when the moon crosses the sun’s plane while orbiting the earth and comes
in front of the sun, which obscures its view either partly or entirely.
Thus,
it ultimately blocks the sunlight from falling on earth and due to which some
parts of the earth are under the moon’s shadow and causes the solar eclipse.
This event occurs only during the new moon when the moon is amid the sun and
the earth. You can see the figure given below:
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Solar Eclipse
Definition of Lunar
Eclipse
Lunar Eclipse, in simplest terms, can be described as
the eclipse of the moon, in which it is behind the earth and forms a perfect
alignment with sun and earth. We all know the fact that the moon does not have
its own light, and reflects the light of the sun.
So, when the earth moves between the sun and the moon, while orbiting the sun, the lunar eclipse takes place, in which the earth casts its shadow on the moon.
Therefore, it ultimately blocks the sunlight from
falling on the moon, due to which moon appears darkened. This appears only
during the full moon when it passes through earth’s shadow, i.e. umbra or
penumbra. You can see the figure provided below
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Lunar Eclipse
1. The solar eclipse is described as the eclipse of
the sun, i.e. in which sun is obscured by the moon. On the other side, lunar
eclipse implies the eclipse in which moon appears dim as it passes into the
earth's shadow.
2. In the solar eclipse, the position of
the three celestial bodies is sun, moon and earth. Conversely, in the case of
lunar eclipse, the position of these are the sun, earth and moon.
3. A solar eclipse occurs in every 18 months, i.e.15 years. As against, the lunar eclipse which takes place twice a year. 4. As solar eclipse is the sun's eclipse, it occurs during the day time. In contrast, the lunar eclipse occurs in the nights, because it's moon's eclipse. 5. The solar eclipse happens in the new moon phase, but lunar eclipse occurs during the full moon. 6. Solar eclipse lasts for 5-7 minutes, whereas lunar eclipse lasts for few hours. 7. A solar eclipse can be observed only in a small area, while lunar eclipse can be noticed in the comparatively larger area. 8. If one sees solar eclipse directly, i.e. through naked eyes, then there is a risk of loss in visibility, as it damages the retina. On the contrary, it is safe to see lunar eclipse through bare eyes.
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source: http://keydifferences.com/difference-between-solar-and-lunar-eclipse.html#comment-35678
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