Articles About Eclipses (31)
![Only a thin crescent of the Sun is visible against a dark sky during this partial solar eclipse Malaysia on 9 March 2016.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/bigstock--123056558.jpg?1)
What Is a Solar Eclipse?
Solar eclipses happen when the Moon moves between Sun and Earth, blocking the Sun's rays and casting a shadow on Earth.
![Black background with rays extending out from a circle and a bright light from the top of the circle.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/totality-great-american-total-solar-eclipse.jpg?1)
How Often Do Solar Eclipses Happen?
There are between 2 and 5 solar eclipses every year, each one visible only in a limited area.
![Zoomed in image of the Full Moon with its surface of craters and mountains.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/full-moon-phase2.jpg?1)
Full Moon – the Moonlight Phase
The 3rd primary phase of the Moon, the Full Moon is the moment its disk is illuminated by the Sun's rays.
![Illustration image](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/total-lunareclipse1.jpg?1)
What's a Blood Moon?
A total lunar eclipse is often called a Blood Moon because of the red glow the eclipsed Moon gets. The term is also used for four total lunar eclipses that occur in a row.
![Calendar of Cosmic Events, Watch the Sky! Calendar of Cosmic Events](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/fb--cosmic-events-01.png?1)
2021 Cosmic Calendar
Celestial events and highlights of 2021 and 2022 including supermoons, solar and lunar eclipses, meteor showers, solstices, and equinoxes.
![New Moon Phase Illustration of the Moon's position in space in relation to Earth and the Sun at New Moon.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/new-moon-phase.png?1)
The New Moon
When is the next New Moon? New Moon is when the Sun and Moon are aligned, with the Sun and Earth on opposite sides of the Moon.
![Eclipse History](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/eclipse-traditions.jpg?1)
Solar and Lunar Eclipses
Solar and lunar eclipses, why they occur, when the next eclipse is, and from where you can see them.
![Illustration of a total eclipse of the Sun. Total solar eclipse at its maximum point or totality. (Illustration)](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/total-solar-eclipse.jpg?1)
Total Solar Eclipse
Total solar eclipses occur when the New Moon comes between the Sun and Earth and casts the darkest part of its shadow, the umbra, on Earth.
![During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth's shadow falls on the Moon, coloring it red. Fully eclipsed Blood Moon.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/lunar-eclipse-shadow.jpg?1)
Total Lunar Eclipses
A total lunar eclipse happens when Earth's shadow blocks the direct light from the Sun reaching the Full Moon.
![Image of Full Moon red in color due to refraction with dark sky in the background.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/red-full-moon.jpg?1)
Lunar Eclipse: Red Moon
Find out why a totally eclipsed Moon turns a shade of red.
![Astronomy Glossary - Terms & definitions Astronomy Glossary - Terms & definitions](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/fbimage-glossary--astronomy.png?1)
Astronomical Glossary - Terms & Definitions
What do astronomers really mean when they use those technical terms?
![Hindu God Rahu, known for swallowing the sun and causing eclipses. The Hindu deity Rahu.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/hindu-god-rahu.jpg?1)
Solar Eclipse Myths
The solar eclipse has inspired many mythical stories and influenced human behavior. Even today, eclipses of the Sun are considered bad omens in many cultures.
![Dark blue sky in the background with a glowing ring around the Sun. The center of the sun is dark.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/annular-eclipse-new-mexico-2012.jpg?1)
Annular Solar Eclipse
An annular solar eclipse is when the Moon moves in front of the Sun but leaves the outer edge of the Sun visible as a ring of fire.
![Illustration image](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/total-solar-eclipse-com.png?1)
What Is the Umbra?
The umbra is the dark center portion of a shadow. The Moon's umbra causes total solar eclipses, and the Earth's umbra is involved in total and partial lunar eclipses.
![Image of a faint eclipsed Moon behind a brightly it castle.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/lunar-eclipse-siena.jpg?1)
Watching Lunar Eclipses
A lunar eclipse can be seen with the naked eye, unlike solar eclipses, which have special safety requirements.
![Picture with fields in the foreground and a crescent shaped Sun with Moon in front of it. Cloudy skies in the background.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/partial-solar-eclipse-arkansas.jpg?1)
Partial Solar Eclipse
A partial solar eclipse happens when the Moon only partially covers the Sun.
![Illustration image](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/shadow-experiments-antumbra.png?1)
Why 3 Shadows?
Objects cast 3 different shadows: umbra, penumbra, and antumbra. Why are there 3 types of shadows and how do they determine the type of an eclipse?
![Eclipse History](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/eclipse-traditions1.jpg?1)
Solar Eclipses in History
Solar eclipses were historically seen as omens that bring about death and destruction. People in many ancient civilizations tried their best to understand them.
![A partially eclipsed Moon in the night sky. A little over half of the Moon is covered by a reddish shade.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/partial-lunar-eclipse-cropped.jpg?1)
What Is a Partial Lunar Eclipse?
A partial lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, but they are not precisely aligned.
![Lunar Eclipse Penumbral Penumbral lunar eclipse illustration with positions of Sun, Earth, and Moon in space](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/totallunareclipsepenumbral.png?1)
What Is the Penumbra?
The penumbra is the lighter outer part of a shadow. The Moon's penumbra causes partial solar eclipses, and the Earth's penumbra is involved in penumbral lunar eclipses.
![Illustration image](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/mercury-transit.png?1)
Mercury Transit
When Mercury transits the Sun, you can see it as a tiny black dot silhouetted against the Sun's disk. The last Mercury transit was on November 11, 2019.
![Viewing eclipse with a DIY pinhole projector Diagram of a DIY pinhole projector.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/pinhole-projector-diy.png?1)
Make a Pinhole Projector
Make a simple pinhole projector using 2 pieces of card or paper to safely watch a projection of a solar eclipse.
![Annular solar eclipse illustration with positions of Earth, Moon, and Sun in space](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/annular-solar-eclipse.png?1)
What Is the Antumbra?
The antumbra is the lighter part of a shadow that forms at a certain distance from the object casting the shadow. It is involved in annular solar eclipses and planet transits.
![A Full Moon against a dark sky.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/full-moon-dark-eclipse.jpg?1)
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the outer shadow of Earth falls on the Moon's face. It is easy to miss this type of lunar eclipse.
![Position of Sun, Moon, and Earth during a hybrid solar eclipse.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/hybrid-solar-eclipse.png?1)
Hybrid Solar Eclipse
A hybrid eclipse or annular/total eclipse starts as a total solar eclipse but changes into an annular solar eclipse. Why is that so? When is the next hybrid solar eclipse?
![Illustration image](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/magnitude-of-eclipse.png?1)
Eclipse Magnitude
Eclipse magnitude is a number that astronomers associate with solar or lunar eclipses. What does it mean?
![Illustration of eclipse glasses, binoculars and telescope with eclipse safe lens with a green check mark next to them.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/how-to-view-a-solar-eclipse-do-02.png?1)
Safely See a Solar Eclipse
Protect your eyes during a solar eclipse. Sunglasses don't work.
![Diagram of a box pinhole projector.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/pinhole-projector-homemade.png?1)
Make a Box Pinhole Projector
Instructions on how to DIY a pinhole projector using a cardboard box and household items to safely see a solar eclipse.
![Diagram of a DIY projector with binoculars.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/pinhole-projector-binoculors.png?1)
Make a Solar Eclipse Projector
Make a Sun projector a pair of binoculars or a telescope to safely watch solar eclipses or a planet transit.
![Illustration image](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/venus-transit.jpg?1)
Transit of Venus: June 5-6, 2012
The 2012 Venus transit was the last chance to see this phenomenon for over 100 years. Mercury transits happen more often, the next one in 2032.
![A park in Huambo, Angola.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210812223417im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/huambo-angola-eclipse1.jpg?1)
Solar Eclipses in 2017
Eclipses in 2017 are visible in Southern America and Africa, and Northern America.