Lunar Eclipses

describe the appearance of partial and total lunar eclipses
describe, using diagrams, the mechanisms causing lunar eclipses

A lunar eclipse occurs when the shadow of the Earth falls on the Moon. They can only occur when there is a full Moon and, like total solar eclipses, are quite rare. Not as rare though as the Earth's shadow is much bigger than the Moon's.

  pic NASA

Penumbral Eclipse -         The Earth blocks out some light from the Sun. Not really noticeable from Earth without special equipment.

Partial Lunar Eclipse -     Part of the Moon is completely blocked of sunlight, i.e. is within the umbra shadow.

Total Lunar Eclipse -       All of the Moon falls within the umbra.

The Appearance of the Moon

Sunlight which passes through the Earth's atmosphere is scattered, as in a sunrise or sunset. Blue light is scattered in all directions so the light which goes to fall on the Moon is from the red end of the spectrum and the Moon appears a beautiful pale red colour.

Totality, when the Moon is completely in shadow, lasts much longer than for a solar eclipse as the shadow of the Earth is much bigger than that of the Moon. Up to over 100 minutes.