Eclipses and Tides
What is an eclipse?
An eclipse occurs when one object in space blocks an observer from seeing another object in space. From Earth there are two main types of eclipses: solar eclipses and lunar eclipses.
What is a Solar Eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun causing a shadow to fall on certain portions of the Earth. The eclipse is not seen from every place on Earth, but only from the locations where the shadow falls. From these locations, it appears as if the Sun has gone dark.
- There is a portion of the Moon's shadow where the Moon completely covers the sun (total eclipse). This is called Umbra.
- The area of the shadow where only a portion of the Moon (partial eclipse) is in front of the Sun is called Penumbra.
Never look directly at a solar eclipse! Even though it appears darker, the rays of the Sun can still damage your eyes...
Lunar Eclipse:
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow. Lunar eclipses have the same three phases or types as solar eclipses including the umbra (total), antumbra (annular), and penumbra (partial).
Lunar eclipses can be seen by a much larger area of the Earth than solar eclipses. They also can be watched without special equipment to protect the eyes. Lunar eclipses are not totally dark. The Moon will reflect some sunlight that is refracted by the Earth's atmosphere. The light that is refracted is reddish, and the Moon looks like a red planet like Mars.
Now watch the vid where we can witness what is to be like in a place where a total solar eclipse occurs as it did in Madras, Oregon on August 21, 2017
Ocean’s tides are explained in this video: How the tides work? Why the oceans experience two high tides and two low tides each day?
