Final answer:
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow on a part of Earth's surface.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon enters the shadow of Earth. The rankings in decreasing order of the number of people who have seen them are: (b) Lunar eclipse > (a) Solar eclipse > (c) New moon.
Therefore, the correct ranking in decreasing order of the number of people who have seen them is: (b) Lunar eclipse > (a) Solar eclipse > (c) New moon.
Step-by-step explanation:
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow on a part of Earth's surface.
If the eclipse is total, the light from the bright disk of the Sun is completely blocked, and the solar atmosphere (the corona) comes into view. Solar eclipses take place rarely in any one location, but they are among the most spectacular sights in nature.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon enters the shadow of Earth. Unlike a solar eclipse, which is visible only in certain local areas on Earth, a lunar eclipse is visible to everyone who can see the Moon.
Because a lunar eclipse can be seen from the entire night side of Earth, lunar eclipses are observed far more frequently from a given place on Earth than are solar eclipses.
Therefore, the correct ranking in decreasing order of the number of people who have seen them is: (b) Lunar eclipse > (a) Solar eclipse > (c) New moon.