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Solar Week - Ask a Question » Archives of previous runs of Solar Week » 2010 Apr 12-16 » Solar Eclipses » Solar vs Lunar

Solar vs Lunar

Last post 04-12-2010 1:44 PM by Pat Reiff. 2 replies.
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  • 04-11-2010 3:06 PM

    Solar vs Lunar

    Reply Contact

    Keira B,

    Why the big difference in lunar eclipses vs. solar eclipses?

  • 04-12-2010 7:45 AM In reply to

    • Dawn Myers
    • Top 10 Contributor
    • Joined on 02-27-2005
    • Goddard Space Flight Center
    • Posts 102

    Re: Solar vs Lunar

    Reply Contact
    Hello Keira A solar eclipse is when the moos passes directly between the Earth and the Sun blocking the Sun's light whereas a lunar eclipse is when the moon passes through the shadow of the Earth temporarily darkening it's surface

  • 04-12-2010 1:44 PM In reply to

    • Pat Reiff
    • Top 25 Contributor
    • Joined on 02-27-2005
    • Rice University
    • Posts 53

    Re: Solar vs Lunar

    Reply Contact
    For a lunar eclipse, everyone on the dark half of the earth can see it... just look at the Moon, and see the Earth's shadow (which is big) move across it! But for a lunar eclipse, the Moon's shadow on the Earth is very small and travels quickly, so you have to be in exactly the right place and exactly the right time, in order to see the Corona. But it's worth it! I've now been on the center line of a total eclipse ten times and have only been clouded out once, but I've had a couple of near misses... Here's one of my favorite eclipse photos that I took in China in 2008 http://space.rice.edu/eclipse/solar_eclipse_2008/eclipse_REIFF2909s.jpg
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