Thursday, April 3, 2008

Eclipse - An Astronomical Event

Many people have interest in talking about astronomy, and one of their conversation subject in astronomy is eclipse. An eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when there is a linear arrangement between a star, such as the Sun and two celestial bodies, such as a planet and its moon. There are two kinds of eclipse divided by their arrangement position, solar eclipse and lunar eclipse.

Solar eclipse occurs at noon, when the Sun should be lighting up the Earth. Instead, the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth so that some area of the Earth doesn't get light from the Sun because of the Moon. This can only happen during a new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction as seen from the Earth.

Lunar eclipse occurs at night, when the Moon should be reflecting light of the Sun to the Earth. Instead, the Moon passes through some area of the Earth's shadow so that the Moon doesn't get light of the Sun. This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned with the Earth in the middle. Hence, there is always a full moon the night of a lunar eclipse.

No comments: