A total solar eclipse takes several hours, but is considered a partial eclipse until the time of totality - the time when the moon blocks out the sun completely. Totality can last up to 7 minutes 40 seconds. To clarify, at any given spot on earth a total solar eclipse lasts just a few minutes. However, if you could be witnessing such an eclipse from high in space, you would see that there is a "path of totality" that sweeps across the sunlit face of earth. The length of this path varies from eclipse to eclipse. It is this path sweeping along the earth that can last for several hours, not the experience of the eclipse for a given individual at a fixed spot.
A total lunar eclipse can last up to a few hours, typically around 3-4 hours from start to finish. This includes the partial phases before and after the total phase when Earth's shadow partially covers the moon.
The total phase of a solar eclipse can never last longer than 7 minutes and 29 seconds. MindOfTheLion: But why can't it be? If it occurs during a school day do they stop school to check it out?
The 2007 total solar eclipse in the US lasted for about 2 minutes and 30 seconds at its longest point. The path of totality traveled across parts of the western US, including northern California, Nevada, and Utah.
one month
The total part of a lunar eclipse may last from just a few minutes up to about 90 minutes, depending on how exact the alignment of the Earth and Moon are as compared to the Sun. If the Moon goes through the center of the Earth's umbra, or total shadow, then the eclipse will be a long one; if the Moon just barely enters the umbra, then it will emerge in just a few minutes. Any number in between is possible as well. The partial phase of a lunar eclipse can last up to about 3 hours, again depending on how exact the alignment is.
The total phase of a total solar eclipse is never more than 7 minutes 29 seconds, and you would need to be exactly ON the midpoint of the eclipse track to get that.
Yes, in a total eclipse the Moon does cover the Sun completely. As the Earth, Moon and Sun are constantly moving, the eclipse doesn't last long. It is important that you don't look directly at the eclipse with the naked eye - or your sight could be damaged.
It depends on the eclipse. Usually a few hours.
A total lunar eclipse can last up to a few hours, typically around 3-4 hours from start to finish. This includes the partial phases before and after the total phase when Earth's shadow partially covers the moon.
Just a little over 2 minutes at the center of the track, less time as you move away.
The total phase of a solar eclipse can never last longer than 7 minutes and 29 seconds. MindOfTheLion: But why can't it be? If it occurs during a school day do they stop school to check it out?
7 minutes.
It all depends
If you are talking about the movie, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, then the answer is 124 minutes.
The 2007 total solar eclipse in the US lasted for about 2 minutes and 30 seconds at its longest point. The path of totality traveled across parts of the western US, including northern California, Nevada, and Utah.
one month
About 3 minutes!