Lunar eclipses are captivating events where the Earth casts a shadow on the Moon, with types ranging from penumbral to total eclipses. They reveal the Earth's umbra and penumbra, and during a total eclipse, the Moon can appear red due to atmospheric filtering of sunlight. These eclipses have deep cultural roots and are predictable thanks to cycles like the Saros.
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A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, causing a shadow on the Moon
Definition of orbital nodes
Orbital nodes are the points where the Moon's orbit intersects the ecliptic, the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun
Importance of orbital nodes in lunar eclipses
Lunar eclipses can only occur when the Moon is near one of its orbital nodes
Lunar eclipses are classified into three types: penumbral, partial, and total, depending on the extent of the Earth's shadow on the Moon
Earth's shadow is composed of the umbra, where all direct sunlight is blocked, and the penumbra, where only a portion of the sunlight is obscured
Definition of contacts
Contacts are distinct phases that mark the progression of a lunar eclipse
Explanation of each contact
The first contact is the start of the penumbral eclipse, followed by the second contact which marks the beginning of the partial eclipse, the third contact signals the start of totality, the fourth contact signifies the end of totality, the fifth contact marks the end of the partial eclipse, and the sixth contact concludes the penumbral eclipse
The Moon turns a reddish color, known as a "blood moon," during a total lunar eclipse due to the Earth's atmosphere filtering and bending sunlight towards the Moon
Observing a total lunar eclipse is safe without protective eyewear, and the duration of totality can last up to nearly two hours, longer than a total solar eclipse
Throughout history, lunar eclipses have been given cultural and mythological interpretations, such as the Incas believing a jaguar attacked the Moon during an eclipse
Definition of eclipse season
Eclipse season is a period when the Sun is near the Moon's orbital nodes, allowing for the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon for a lunar eclipse to occur
Explanation of eclipse cycles
Lunar eclipses are relatively frequent and predictable events due to the regularity of the Moon's orbit and eclipse cycles, such as the Saros cycle which spans approximately 18 years
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Lunar eclipse alignment
Sun, Earth, Moon align nearly straight; Earth between Sun and Moon.
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Lunar eclipse timing
Occurs only during full moon phase.
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A ______ lunar eclipse is when the Moon only skirts through the Earth's ______, resulting in minor shading.
penumbral
penumbra
