A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon. This can only happen during a full moon when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun.
There are three
types of lunar eclipses:
·
Total lunar eclipse: The Moon passes completely into Earth's
umbra, or inner shadow. The Moon turns a deep red color during this
phase, which is sometimes called a "blood moon."
·
Partial lunar eclipse: The Moon passes partially into Earth's
umbra. Only a portion of the Moon is darkened during this type of eclipse.
·
Penumbral lunar eclipse: The Moon passes through Earth's
penumbra, or outer shadow. This type of eclipse is very faint and can
be difficult to see.
Suitable Keywords
Step by Step
Here is a
step-by-step explanation of a lunar eclipse, with suitable keywords for each
step:
Step 1: The full
moon.
The lunar eclipse
begins when the Moon is full. The Moon is fully lit by the Sun, and it is
visible from all over the Earth.
Keyword: full moon
Step 2: The Moon
enters Earth's umbra.
The Moon begins to
enter Earth's umbra, or inner shadow. This is the beginning of the partial
lunar eclipse phase.
Keyword: umbra
Step 3: The Moon is
fully eclipsed.
The Moon has
completely entered Earth's umbra. This is the beginning of the total lunar
eclipse phase.
Keyword: total
lunar eclipse
Step 4: The Moon
turns red.
The red color of
the Moon during a total lunar eclipse is caused by sunlight that is refracted
by Earth's atmosphere.
Keyword: blood moon
Step 5: The Moon
leaves Earth's umbra.
The Moon begins to
leave Earth's umbra. This is the end of the total lunar eclipse phase.
Keyword: penumbra
Step 6: The Moon is
no longer eclipsed.
The Moon has
completely left Earth's umbra. The lunar eclipse is over.
Keyword: lunar
eclipse
Additional
keywords:
·
Moon
·
Sun
·
Earth
·
shadow
·
umbra
·
penumbra
·
partial lunar eclipse
·
total lunar eclipse
·
blood moon
·
celestial event

