Lunar eclipse: all you need to know

Sophie Collins Posted On 2018-09-24

Sunrise: 00:00
Sunset: 00:00

Moonrise: 00:00
Moonset: 00:00
Moon phase:
Moon Phase

Before discussing the lunar eclipse itself, it is important that it is clear to you what an eclipse is. It is known as an eclipse the astrological moment in which one planet is shown in the shadow of the other. This brings along several spiritual consequences that we will discuss in different articles.

There are eclipses of the sun or of the moon and some of them are visible to the human eye, others are not. This is due to the geographical limitations that we have from the Earth.

Lunar eclipse: what is the difference to the solar eclipse?

When an eclipse is predicted, everyone is talking about it. You hear about it all over the media and social tools and also people around you will certainly be discussing it as well. This is due to the fact that an eclipse, either from the sun or from the moon, is such a beautiful and also very rare astronomical event.

There are though always some doubts about the difference between the lunar eclipse and the solar eclipse. Many people still think that both are the same event, but with different names.

The process by which eclipses is formed is generally described as the alignment of the stars. In this case, the alignment of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon. As the Moon, our natural satellite, revolves around the Earth, often both are aligned with the Sun. This can create either the solar or the lunar eclipses.

The solar eclipse will be formed when the Moon is in the middle of the Sun and the Earth. On the other hand a lunar eclipse occurs if the Earth is in between the Sun and the Moon.

lunar eclipse

Types of lunar eclipses

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

In the penumbral lunar eclipse, the Moon enters the penumbra of the Earth, but the sunlight still reaches it, because this area is not completely obscured from the rays of the Sun.

Partial Lunar Eclipse

In this case, the Earth creates an irregular shadow on the Moon, since either the stars are not perfectly aligned, or the Moon is not in its full moon phase. The partial lunar eclipse happens when the Moon enters the Earth’s umbra, being characterized by partially obscuring only one side of the celestial body.

Total Lunar Eclipse

This eclipse, unlike the others, is very rare. In the total lunar eclipse, the good alignment with the full phase of the Moon produces a shade, an effect that darkens the entire Moon for some minutes.

Thus during the height of the moment, the celestial star, known for being bright during the night will have a reddish color. This is a much spoken moment all over the media and everyone wants to appreciate it and photograph it.

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Author

Sophie Collins

Mother of two, loves long walks by the beach and meditation. Nature affectionate and summer addicted, she believes that the power of our own energy is one of the greatest forces on Earth.