a solar or lunar eclipse. (depends which is in front)
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth.
When the earth is between the moon and the sun, a full moon occurs. In the less common instance when the Earth is between the moon and the sun and all three are in line, a lunar eclipse occurs.
No eclipse can occur unless the sun, moon, and earth arein line.
an eclipse
The phases of the moon are the result of the ever-changing positions of the Earth, moon, and sun relative to one another. When the moon and the sun are on opposite sides of the earth (whereby the sun, earth, and moon form a straight line), a full moon occurs. When the moon and sun are on the same side of the earth (whereby the sun,moon, and earth form a straight line), a new moon occurs.
When the moon is the one in the 'middle' . . . New Moon. When the Earth is the one in the middle . . . . Full Moon. (The Sun can never be the one in the middle.)
the Sun and Moon, in a configuration known as a spring tide. This occurs during a new moon or full moon phase. At these times, the gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon aligns to create higher tides.
lunar or solar eclipse
Spring tides
When the Sun, Earth and Moon line up exactly, an eclipse occurs. If the alignment is sun, Moon, Earth, then it is a solar eclipse. If the alignment is Sun, Earth, Moon, then we have a lunar eclipse.
Earth, Moon, and Sun line up with both solar and lunar eclipses.
A new moon occurs when the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, with the side of the moon facing Earth in darkness. This alignment causes the side of the moon illuminated by the sun to be hidden from view, resulting in a dark night sky with no visible moon.