Sunday, September 7th, 2008

SPACE

Eclipses

Eclipses

Eclipses happen when one planetary body passes into the shadow of another.

Eclipse is a Greek word that means “cease to exist”.

The two most common kinds of eclipses are: 1. A Solar Eclipse – when the sun is blocked by the

moon. The moon’s shadow falls on the Earth and it seems to us that the sun

ceases to exist momentarily… …at least for the people under the black shadow.

2. Lunar Eclipse – when the moon is blocked by the Earth’s shadow.

(The moon ceases to exist…for a few moments)

During a solar eclipse, you can see the moon slowly move between the Sun and the Earth…

…blocking the sun’s rays for us here on Earth…

…making the sun seem to disappear briefly.

animation

Solar Eclipse video Solar Eclipse as seen from Hawaii

observatory - video

During a lunar eclipse you can see the moon move into the Earth’s shadow…

…blocking it from the sun’s rays.

This seems to make the moon disappear briefly.

Lunar Eclipse

Animation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWNKQ9jGmiM

Animation review