7.2.7. Eclipse

An eclipse occurs when the Sun, the Earth and the Moon are in a straight line in the plane of ecliptic. When the Earth obstructs the rays of the Sun from reaching the face of the Moon, the Moon gets eclipsed. When the Moon hides the face of the Sun, then it is an eclipse of the Sun.

At anytime the Sun is able to light only half of the Earth’s surface which is facing the Sun. The

other half, which is turned away from the Sun is in darkness.

7.2.7.1. Lunar Eclipse

A lunar eclipse will occur, only when the Sun, the Earth and the Moon are in a straight line, and the Earth lies between the Sun and the Moon. This is possible on a Full Moon day. But a lunar eclipse does not occur on every Full Moon day, as these three bodies have to be in the plane of ecliptic.

(a) If the Moon is exactly in the plane of ecliptic, a total lunar eclipse will occur.

(b) If the Moon is close to the plane of ecliptic, a partial lunar eclipse will occur.

(c) If the Moon is far above or far below the plane of ecliptic, no eclipse will occur.