The moon's whitish-gray surface reflects sunlight, which is what we perceive as moonlight here on Earth. Because the Moon orbits Earth and Earth orbits the Sun, the amount of Moon we can see varies during the month, resulting in lunar phases. The world is in motion.
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes in front of the Sun and the Moon, obstructing the Moon's exposure to sunlight. The lunar surface is entirely or partially hidden by Earth's shadow.
Our moon reflects light instead of shining. The Moon is illuminated by sunlight, just like it is here on Earth.
Just sometimes we can't see it.
A new Moon occurs when sunlight reflects off the far side of the Moon, which we cannot see from Earth without the assistance of a spacecraft.
We refer to a full Moon when sunlight reflects off the near side.
For the remainder of the month, we can observe various phases or portions of the Moon's day side. The new Moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and declining crescent are the eight phases, listed in order. Every 29.5 days, the cycle repeats once a month.
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes in front of the Sun and the Moon, obstructing the Moon's exposure to sunlight.
Lunar eclipses come in two varieties:
* When the Moon and Sun are on opposing sides of Earth, a total lunar eclipse takes place.
* When only a portion of the Moon is covered by Earth's shadow, a partial lunar eclipse occurs.
The Moon may appear reddish at certain times of a lunar eclipse. This is due to the fact that, as seen from the Moon's surface, the only sunlight still reaching the Moon at that time is coming from the Earth's periphery. An observer from there would be able to see all of Earth's sunrises and sunsets simultaneously during an eclipse.
During some phases of a lunar eclipse, the Moon may appear reddish. This is because, as seen from the surface of the Moon, the only sunlight that is still reaching the Moon at that time is coming from the edge of the Earth. During an eclipse, a viewer would be able to simultaneously watch all of Earth's sunrises and sunsets.
The moon can appear twice a month because the Moon's orbit around the Earth is tilted in relation to the Earth's orbit around the Sun.
The Moon's orbital tilt varies with respect to the Sun during the year, but stays fixed with respect to the stars. This places the Moon in the ideal position to pass through the Earth's shadow, resulting in a lunar eclipse, around twice a year.
The Moon dramatically darkens as it enters the umbra, or center, of the Earth's shadow. The Moon appears a faint crimson once it is totally within the umbra because sunlight is reflected by the Earth's atmosphere.
In actuality, the Sun would set behind the entire Earth if you were viewing the eclipse from the surface of the Moon, illuminating you in a cozy crimson glow. You'll need to stay up late at home to witness a lunar eclipse, but if you do, you'll get to see the Moon in exceptional form and catch a fleeting peek of our planet's extended shadow.
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