Eclipse: Learn its Definition, Types like Solar & Lunar Eclipse

Astronomy deals with everything related to celestial objects and their phenomenon. Eclipse is one such phenomenon that is thoroughly studied in astronomy. It occurs only when a celestial object gets dimmed or darken temporarily due to other celestial bodies. Both the celestial bodies align in such a manner that they appear to be in a straight line by the observer on the surface of the Earth. In an eclipse, one celestial body might get completely hidden or partially by another celestial body. It mainly occurs with the Moon or with Sun. In this, the shadow of the second celestial body appears on the first celestial body.

Read on to learn more about solar eclispe and lunar eclipse in detail. Also, learn their types with diagrams in this Physics article.

Classification of Eclipse

The eclipse are mainly classified into two categories, which are mentioned as well as defined as follows below:

Solar Eclipse

Solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes in front of the Sun and aligns with it. The moon is present between the Earth and the Sun in such manner that its shadow hide the Sun. As the moon is the closest celestial body to the Earth, the observer on the surface of the Earth is not able to see the Sun or only that much part is visible which is not covered by the shadow of the moon. On the other hand, these solar eclipses are very harmful for the human eye and can completely damage if directly looked towards it. The image shown below depicts the formation of the solar eclipse.

There are mainly three types of solar eclipses which are depicted in the image given below as well as they are also explained as follows:

Total Solar Eclipse

Total solar eclipse is the type of solar eclipse in which the moon passes from between the Sun and the Earth in such a manner that its shadow completely blocks the Sun; it appears in the shape of a ring by the observer. In it, the sky becomes completely black similar to nighttime, as almost all the sunlight gets blocked in it.

Partial Solar Eclipse

Partial solar eclipse is a type of solar eclipse in which the moon crosses between the Earth and the Sun in such a manner that partially the Sun gets hidden behind the shadow of the moon. The Sun looks similar to the shape of a crescent moon in it.

Annular Solar Eclipse

Annular solar eclipse is a type of solar eclipse in which the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun in such a way that it only covers the centre of the Sun. In it, the outer edges of the Sun are visible to the observer on Earth. Whereas, the shape of the Sun looks like a circular ring which is also known as the ring of fire.

Lunar Eclipse

Lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves into the shadow of the Earth. This only takes place when the Sun, Earth and the moon are aligned very closely and the Earth is situated between the moon and the Sun. The lunar eclipse appears reddish or blackish-white in colour. It is mainly of four types total, partial, central, and penumbral. The diagram shown below depicts the formation of the lunar eclipse.

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

Penumbral lunar eclipse occurs only when the moon passes along the penumbra of the Earth. The penumbra region makes the moon to appear slightly dim, and this is only visible to the human eye when about 70% of the diameter of the moon gets immersed into the penumbra of the Earth. The image shown below depicts the penumbral lunar eclipse.

Partial Lunar Eclipse

Partial lunar eclipse is a type of lunar eclipse that can only occur when one portion of the moon enters the umbra of the Earth. It covers only the parts of the moon and thus it is known as a partial lunar eclipse. The image shown below depicts the partial lunar eclipse.

Total Lunar Eclipse

Total lunar eclipse is the type of lunar eclipse that occurs only when the moon completely falls in the umbra of the Earth. This makes the moon appear completely dim from the surface of the Earth. Whereas, its edges appear very bright compared to its surface. The image shown below depicts the image of a total lunar eclipse.

Central Lunar Eclipse

Central lunar eclipse is the type of lunar eclipse that occurs only when the passes through the centre of the shadow of the Earth and is situated at the antisolar point. Central lunar eclipse are generally rare as compared to other types of lunar eclipses. In this, the moon gets near to the apogee (fathest point) and gets very far from the Earth while orbiting around it. The orbital speed of the moon is also the slowest during this time. The image shown below depicts the central lunar eclipse.

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Also read about the difference between solar and lunar eclipse, here.