SOLAR ECLIPSES

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TOTAL SOLAR:

• Vocab
  • Umbra: Darkest part of a(n) celestial object's shadow.
  • Penumbra: Lightest part of a(n) celestial object's shadow.
• Explanation:
  • The total solar eclipse happens when the Earth is completely engulfed in the Moon's umbra.

PARTIAL SOLAR:

• Explanation:
  • The partial solar eclipse happens when the Earth is partially in the umbra of the Moon, but is mostly in penumbra.

ANNULAR ECLIPSE:

• Explanation:
  • The annular eclipse has the same format as the total solar eclipse except the Moon is on the outer edge of its orbit. Since it is so far away from the Earth the umbra doesn't completely engulf the Earth. Instead, a ring of light peaking from the penumbra is seen around the Moon.

Lunar Eclipses