When people hear the word “eclipse,” they often think of a solar eclipse, where the Moon blocks the Sun’s light. But there’s another amazing event called a lunar eclipse that’s just as exciting to learn about!
An eclipse happens when one space object blocks the view of another. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth’s shadow, stopping sunlight from reflecting off the Moon. Unlike solar eclipses, which can only be seen from certain places and last a short time, lunar eclipses can be seen from anywhere it’s nighttime on Earth and can last for several hours.
There are three types of lunar eclipses:
Lunar eclipses only happen during a full moon when the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up perfectly. However, because the Moon’s orbit is tilted, lunar eclipses don’t happen every full moon. About twice a year, the Moon’s path lines up just right with Earth’s orbit to create a lunar eclipse.
During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon often turns reddish. This happens because sunlight bends through Earth’s atmosphere, which filters out colors like blue and green, leaving mostly red light to reach the Moon. This is similar to the colors we see during sunrises and sunsets. If you were on the Moon during an eclipse, you’d see the Sun hiding behind Earth, and the Moon would look like a sunset!
One of the best things about a lunar eclipse is that it’s easy to watch. You don’t need any special tools—just find out when the next eclipse is happening, go outside, and look up at the sky!
If you missed the last lunar eclipse, don’t worry. Lunar eclipses happen every year, giving everyone plenty of chances to see this amazing event in the sky.
Shadow Play: Create your own eclipse using a flashlight, a small ball (like a tennis ball), and a larger ball (like a basketball). In a dark room, use the flashlight as the Sun, the larger ball as the Earth, and the smaller ball as the Moon. Try to recreate the different types of lunar eclipses by moving the balls around. Can you make a penumbral, partial, and total lunar eclipse? Observe how the shadows change and discuss what you see with a friend or family member.
Moon Journal: Keep a “Moon Journal” for a month. Each night, observe the Moon and draw what you see. Note the date and time of your observation. Pay special attention to the Moon’s shape and color. If a lunar eclipse occurs during this time, make sure to document it! At the end of the month, look back at your drawings and see how the Moon changed. Discuss why these changes happen and how they relate to lunar eclipses.
Why Red? Explore why the Moon turns red during a total lunar eclipse. Use a glass of water and a flashlight to simulate Earth’s atmosphere. Shine the flashlight through the glass of water onto a white surface. Notice how the light bends and changes color. Discuss with a friend or family member how this experiment is similar to what happens during a lunar eclipse, and why the Moon appears red.
