Solar/Lunar Eclipses

This goes over the main points of Solar and Lunar Eclipses

What is an eclipse?

An event in which the shadow of one celestial object falls on another celestial object

What causes a lunar eclipse?

When the moon passes through Earth’s Shadow.

During what phase of the moon do lunar eclipses occur?

During a Full Moon.

What causes a solar eclipse?

When light from the Sun is blocked by the moon and the moon’s Shadow falls on Earth.

During what phase of the moon do solar eclipses occur?

During a New Moon

Why are solar eclipses harder to see than lunar eclipses?

The path of the moon’s shadow is narrow compared to Earth’s

Why don't eclipses happen every new moon and full moon?

Not all the time do the moon’s shadow reach Earth.

What must happen for an eclipse to occur?

The moon must cross the orbital plane during a full/new moon.

About how many eclipses usually happen each year?

About 4 partial eclipses

What is the orientation of the earth sun moon system in a lunar eclipse?

SEM: Sum Earth Moon

What is the orientation of the earth sun moon system is a solar eclipses

SME: Sun Moon Earth