Final answer:
An eclipse is when one celestial body moves into the shadow of another. A solar eclipse involves the Moon blocking the Sun from Earth's view and occurs during a new moon. A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth's shadow falls on the Moon.
Step-by-step explanation:
An eclipse is an astronomical event where one celestial body moves into the shadow of another celestial body. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon partially or fully blocks the Sun as viewed from Earth. This can only happen during a new moon. A lunar eclipse happens when Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, and Earth's shadow falls on the Moon.
Interesting facts about eclipses are:
- Lunar eclipses are much more common than solar eclipses because the Earth casts a bigger shadow than the Moon, making it easier for the lunar eclipse to be viewed from a greater part of Earth.
- A total solar eclipse can occur when the Moon is at the right distance to completely cover the Sun's disk, while an annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon is too far to cover the Sun completely, leaving a ring-like appearance.