Comparing Solar and Lunar Eclipses

What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse? Do both eclipses have anything in common? What is an eclipse?

An eclipse happens when one celestial object moves into the shadow of another.

Solar Eclipse Facts
1. Only occurs at new moon.
2. Lasts for a few minutes.
3. Occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun.
4. Viewed from a certain relatively small area of the world.
5. Eye protection is necessary; viewing with the naked eye will cause damage.
6. Cycles – They occur somewhere on Earth every 18 months on average; estimated recurrence every 370 years.

Lunar Eclipse Facts
1. Only occurs at full moon.
2. Lasts for a few hours.
3. Occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon.
4. Viewed from anywhere on the night side of the Earth.
5. Eye protection is not necessary; viewing with the naked eye will not cause damage.
6. Cycles – Every year there are usually at least two partials; total eclipses are significantly less common.

More Eclipse Facts
An eclipse does not happen at every new or full moon. An eclipse does not occur every month. A solar eclipse always occurs two weeks after or two weeks before a total lunar eclipse. The next total solar eclipse visible from the United States will be on August 21, 2017!

Most Famous Eclipses
The most famous eclipse of ancient times ended a five-year war between the Lydians and the Medes who were locked in battle. The sight of the total solar eclipse on May 28, 585 B.C. was startling enough to cause both nations to stop fighting at once.

The most famous eclipse of modern times was on May 29, 1919. This total solar eclipse, which lasted 6 minutes and 51 seconds, was one of the longest solar eclipses of the 20th century.

This famous eclipse provided the images used to verify Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity. This event would make Einstein famous overnight and ultimately change the course of history.

Sources:
* WikiAnswers: What is the difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse?
* Solar Eclipse: Wikipedia.
* Lunar Eclipse: Wikipedia.
* NASA: Eclipse Web Site.