Eclipses
by Taya Briggs
What is an Eclipse?
An eclipse isn't just a pretty picture. At least, the ancients didn't believe it was. They feared eclipses! In their Mythology, they were terrified and believed it signaled portents of war, symboled pestilence, and brought on death of their leaders. They even believed it hinted the end of the world! In fact, even the word 'Eclipse' comes from the Greek word 'Ekleipsis,' which means forsaking and abandonment. The Greeks believed that the Sun or Moon was abandoning them as it disappeared behind the other.
How is an Eclipse Caused?
Solar and Lunar Eclipse Pictures
Annular Eclipse
An Annular Eclipse is caused when the Moon appears smaller than the Sun, and can't cover it completely. This is actually quite common, since the Moon's (and Sun's, for that matter) orbit is not a perfect, constant circle around the Earth. There are times when the Moon is closer or farther away from the Earth; this is proved by an Annular Eclipse.
Partial Eclipse
A Partial Eclipse occurs when the Moon only covers part of the sun; it's orbit is close, but not totally parallel. This occurs more frequently than a total eclipse, because not everything has to be completely lined up. As mentioned earlier, an eclipse is caused when the Sun, Earth and Moon all line up while in orbit. Therefore, even though this is rare, they can often get close (rather than exact).
Lunar Eclipse
Many people are more often aware of Solar Eclipses than Lunar. We've all heard of Lunar Eclipses, but I recently discovered that I didn't even know what a Lunar Eclipse looked like. Unlike the Solar Eclipse, which is viewable only from a small area on Earth, a Lunar Eclipse is visible from anywhere on the night side of Earth. It can also last up to an hour, whereas a Solar Eclipse lasts just minutes.
Sources
Information Sources
"Eclipses of the Sun and Moon." The New Book of Popular Science. Vol. 1. Scholastic Library Publishing, Inc, 2006. 118. Print.
"Encyclopedic Entry: eclipse." Education Beta. National Geographic Society, 1996-2013. Web. 1 Apr. 2013. <http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/eclipse/?ar_a=1>.
Picture Sources
"Cairns Solar Eclipse 2012." Cairns Conferences. Discount Conference Accommodation, 2013. Web. 1 Apr. 2013. <http://www.cairnsconferences.com.au/solar-eclipse-2012/>.
"When is the next lunar eclipse?." EarthSky. Earthsky Communications Inc., 1 Mar. 2013. Web. 1 Apr. 2013. <http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/when-is-the-next-total-lunar-eclipse-for-north-america>.
"5/20/12 Southern California Partial Eclipse." ApertureLads. Blogspot.com, 20 May 2012. Web. 1 Apr. 2013. <http://aperturelads.blogspot.com/2012/05/52012-southern-california-partial.html>.