What is the Difference Between Lunar and Solar Eclipse?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between a lunar and solar eclipse lies in the position of the three celestial bodies involved, as well as the type of shadow being cast. Here are the key differences:
Lunar Eclipse:
- Occurs when Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.
- The Moon gets darker during the eclipse.
- Lunar eclipses are more widely visible because Earth casts a larger shadow on the Moon.
- They can be seen from the nighttime half of Earth and are more frequent than solar eclipses, with zero to three lunar eclipses per year.
- A total lunar eclipse occurs when the entire Moon passes through Earth's umbral shadow.
Solar Eclipse:
- Occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth.
- The Sun gets darker during the eclipse.
- Solar eclipses are less frequent than lunar eclipses, with total and annular eclipses happening every five or six months.
- They are visible from only a limited region of Earth and last for a few minutes. The same spot on Earth only gets to see a solar eclipse for a few minutes about every 375 years.
- A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely covers the Sun, or an annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon obscures all but an outer ring of the Sun.
In summary, a lunar eclipse comes about when Earth casts a shadow on the Moon, while a solar eclipse is caused by the Moon blocking the Sun's light and casting a shadow on Earth. Lunar eclipses are more frequent and widely visible, while solar eclipses are less frequent and can only be seen from a limited area of Earth.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Lunar and Solar Eclipse? Comparative Table: Lunar vs Solar Eclipse
Comparative Table: Lunar vs Solar Eclipse
Here is a table comparing the differences between lunar and solar eclipses:
Feature | Lunar Eclipse | Solar Eclipse |
---|---|---|
Definition | Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon | Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth |
Occurrence | Occurs during a full moon | Occurs during a new moon |
Frequency | About once per year at any given location | Happens once in 18 months |
Duration | Lasts for an hour | Lasts for about 5-7 minutes |
Witnessed | Visible in many places | Visible in a few places |
Time of Day | Occurs during night time | Occurs during day time |
Safety | Witnessing a lunar eclipse with bare eyes is harmless | Looking directly at a solar eclipse without proper safety equipment can damage the retina |
Read more:
- Lunar Eclipse vs New Moon
- Sun vs Moon
- Earth vs Moon
- Full Moon vs New Moon
- Sun Sign vs Moon Sign
- Planet vs Moon
- Sidereal Day vs Solar Day
- Waxing vs Waning Moon
- Winter Solstice vs Summer Solstice
- Astrology vs Astronomy
- Sunrise vs Sunset
- Gravity on Earth vs Moon
- Dawn vs Sunrise
- Astrology vs Horoscope
- Sidereal vs Synodic
- Eclipse vs Latent Period
- Solar Flare vs Coronal Mass Ejection
- Day vs Night
- Dusk vs Dawn