ECLIPSES: Lunar & Solar

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon lines up precisely behind the Earth so that the Earth blocks the Sun’s rays and the Earths shadow falls upon the Moon. This only happens when the Moon, Earth and Sun are exactly or very closely aligned, with the Earth in the middle. The shadow cast can partially or totally cover the Moon, creating partial eclipses and total eclipses. Blood Moon is another name for total lunar eclipse. It occurs when the Moon passes completely through the Earth's dark shadow, making the Moon appear red.

Lunar Eclipses for 2021

May 26, 2021: Total Eclipse of the Moon.

November 19, 2021: Partial Eclipse of the Moon.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun, partially or entirely blocking out its light. Solar eclipses are visible only in certain areas and require eye protection to be viewed safely. Annular eclipses are similar to total solar eclipses (where the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon), but in an annular eclipse, the Moon's apparent size is smaller than the Sun's, meaning that the Sun is not completely obscured. This results in a very bright ring of light called an annulus.

Solar Eclipses for 2021

June 10, 2021: Annular Eclipse of the Sun.

December 4, 2021: Total Eclipse of the Sun