Compare and Contrast Solar and Lunar Eclipses
Solar and Lunar Eclipses 1
Differences Between Solar and Lunar Eclipses
Joe Straboni
ENG 121 English Composition I
Instructor: Jared Kline
August 14, 2011
Solar and Lunar Eclipses 2
Ever since the dawn of man there have been eclipses of the sun and moon. These celestial events struck fear into ancient man. They did not realize that all it is was the shadow of the earth or moon being cast on something. The following essay discusses the difference between the two.
A solar eclipse can occur at least two and no more than five times a year.
Unlike Solar eclipses, lunar eclipses can only occur during a full moon and when the moon is on the ecliptic plane. Only during full moon, the Sun’s light will be blocked. Solar eclipses can only occur during a new moon and when the moon is on the ecliptic plane. This is the time when the moon’s shadow casts on the Earth. The total phase of a lunar eclipse can last for 90 minutes or more. The maximum time a lunar eclipse can last is three hours and forty minutes. The total phase of a solar eclipse may last only a few minutes. The maximum time for a total solar eclipse is seven minutes and forty seconds.
Lunar eclipses can occur up to three times a year. The number of lunar eclipses per calendar year can vary from two to five if penumbral lunar eclipses are counted. In a penumbral lunar eclipse, the Moon only passes through the lighter, penumbra or outer part of the Earth's shadow. Since penumbral eclipses are often inconspicuous, the number of conspicuous lunar eclipses can range from zero to three each calendar year.
The three celestial bodies involved in a lunar or solar eclipse are the Earth, Sun, and Moon. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Earth. The result Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking all
Differences Between Solar and Lunar Eclipses
Joe Straboni
ENG 121 English Composition I
Instructor: Jared Kline
August 14, 2011
Solar and Lunar Eclipses 2
Ever since the dawn of man there have been eclipses of the sun and moon. These celestial events struck fear into ancient man. They did not realize that all it is was the shadow of the earth or moon being cast on something. The following essay discusses the difference between the two.
A solar eclipse can occur at least two and no more than five times a year.
Unlike Solar eclipses, lunar eclipses can only occur during a full moon and when the moon is on the ecliptic plane. Only during full moon, the Sun’s light will be blocked. Solar eclipses can only occur during a new moon and when the moon is on the ecliptic plane. This is the time when the moon’s shadow casts on the Earth. The total phase of a lunar eclipse can last for 90 minutes or more. The maximum time a lunar eclipse can last is three hours and forty minutes. The total phase of a solar eclipse may last only a few minutes. The maximum time for a total solar eclipse is seven minutes and forty seconds.
Lunar eclipses can occur up to three times a year. The number of lunar eclipses per calendar year can vary from two to five if penumbral lunar eclipses are counted. In a penumbral lunar eclipse, the Moon only passes through the lighter, penumbra or outer part of the Earth's shadow. Since penumbral eclipses are often inconspicuous, the number of conspicuous lunar eclipses can range from zero to three each calendar year.
The three celestial bodies involved in a lunar or solar eclipse are the Earth, Sun, and Moon. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Earth. The result Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking all