Astronomy

Difference between Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse

Difference between Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse

The term eclipse refers to the blocking of light from one astronomical object by the passage of another through it. It is synchronization of three celestial bodies, namely the sun, moon, and earth. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon is between the sun and the earth, and a lunar eclipse occurs when the earth is between the sun and the moon. Because a solar eclipse is an eclipse of the sun, it occurs during the day. The lunar eclipse, on the other hand, occurs at night because it is a lunar eclipse.

The reason for the eclipse is that the moon’s orbit passes through the plane of the sun at two points known as nodes. These points are in alignment with the sun when the earth travels along its orbit, which happens about twice a year.

Difference between Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse –

SOLAR ECLIPSE

  • A solar eclipse occurs when the sun is obscured by the moon. It is referred to as a solar eclipse, which occurs when the sun is obscured by the moon.
  • During a solar eclipse, the three celestial bodies are in the positions of the sun, moon, and earth. It happens every 18 months, or every 1.5 years.
  • A solar eclipse, as the name implies, is the moon’s casting of a shadow over the sun. It occurs when the moon crosses the plane of the sun while orbiting the earth and comes in front of the sun, obscuring its view partially or completely.
  • As a result, it eventually prevents sunlight from falling on Earth, causing some parts of the planet to be in the moon’s shadow and causing the solar eclipse. This happens only during the new moon, when the moon is between the sun and the earth.
  • The solar eclipse occurs during the new moon phase, whereas the lunar eclipse occurs during the full moon phase.

LUNAR ECLIPSE

  • The term “lunar eclipse” refers to an eclipse in which the moon appears dim as it passes into the shadow of the Earth. It alludes to the eclipse, in which the moon appears dim as it passes into the shadow of the earth.
  • In the case of a lunar eclipse, these are the sun, the earth, and the moon. It happens twice a year.
  • In its most basic form, a lunar eclipse is when the moon passes behind the earth and forms a perfect alignment with the sun and the earth. We are all aware that the moon does not emit its own light and instead reflects the light of the sun. As a result, when the earth passes between the sun and the moon while orbiting the sun, a lunar eclipse occurs, in which the earth casts its shadow on the moon.
  • As a result, it eventually prevents sunlight from falling on the moon, giving it a darker appearance. This appears only during the full moon when the moon passes through the earth’s shadow, i.e. umbra or penumbra.
  • The solar eclipse lasts 5-7 minutes, while the lunar eclipse lasts several hours.

A solar eclipse can only be seen in a small area, whereas a lunar eclipse can be seen in a much larger area. If the solar eclipse is seen directly, i.e. with the naked eye, there is a risk of vision loss because it damages the retina. On the contrary, it is safe to observe the lunar eclipse with your own eyes.