1. Eclipses Eclipse of the Sun Eclipse of the Moon

2. Solar Eclipse or Eclipse of the sun When this happens, the sun seems to disappear during the day. It is caused by the moon, which we cannot see, going between the Sun and the Earth. The moon’s shadow lands on a part of the Earth causing darkness there. Click here to see an animation of a solar eclipse

3. Solar Eclipse Diagram day side of Earth night side of Earth Moon’s shadow total eclipse

4. Lunar Eclipse or Eclipse of the Moon When this happens, the moon seems to disappear during the night. It is caused by the Earth going between the Sun and the Moon. The Moon goes into the Earth’s shadow and no light hits it. So we cannot see it. Click here to see an animation of a lunar eclipse

5. Lunar Eclipse Diagram Sun’s rays day side of Earth night side of Earth Earth’s shadow total eclipse Moon entering Earth’s shadow