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This is not really a "why" sort of question.

The moon has a shadow, because it's a solid opaque object.

The moon's shadow sometimes falls on the Earth, because the Earth, Moon, and Sun are sometimes arranged so that that can happen.

When that happens, we call it a solar eclipse. We could call it a mumblefrazz instead, and then I suppose you'd be asking why the moon's shadow was cast on Earth during a mumblefrazz.

If the moon were smaller, or further away, its shadow would never fall on the earth (technically, its penumbra or anteumbra still would, but its umbra would not) and we'd never experience total mumblefrazzes.

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Explain how a lunar eclipse differs from a solar eclipse?

The basic difference is when a lunar elise happens the earths shadow falls on the moon and therefore the moon is not illuminated, with a solar eclipse the moons shadow falls on the earth and the sun is covered by the moon. In both cases the sun moon and earth have to be 'in line'. Lunar eclipse; Sun, earth, moon. Solar eclipse; Sun, moon, earth. It is one of the great coincidences that the moons' size and distance from the earth almost matches the apparent size of the sun, hence we can have the type of total eclipse that we do. If the moon was any bigger or smaller or if it was more distant or nearer to earth this would not be quite the case.


Why does a lunar eclipse occur when there is a full moon and a solar eclipse occur when there is a new moon?

A lunar eclipse occurs during a full moon when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. In contrast, a solar eclipse occurs during a new moon when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun's light from reaching Earth.


What part of the moons shadow are you in if you see a total solar eclipse?

You will see a partial eclipse if you are in the penumbra.


Are Solar eclipses caused by the earths shadow?

Probably, I mean what else could there be (or the Earth makes a shadow covering the half that doesn't face the sun)


What planets in our solar system that could have an eclipse?

The moons of the big planets can go into eclipse when they are in the shadow of their planet.

Related Questions

What is an shadow in relationship to an eclipse?

When the Earth's shadow hits the Moon that is an eclipse of the Moon. When the Moons shadow hits the earth that is an eclipse of the Sun.


Is earth in the moons shadow?

Solar Eclipse


What occurs when the moons shadow falls on the earth surface?

eclipse


What is it called when the moons shadow hits earth or earths shadows hit the moon?

It is called a solar eclipse when the Moon's shadow hits Earth, and a lunar eclipse when Earth's shadow hits the Moon.


What is a eclipse of the moons?

The word "eclipse" means "in the shadows". In an eclipse of the sun, sun, moon and earth are all lined up, so that the moon's shadow falls on the Earth. In an eclipse of the moon, it is the shadow of the Earth that falls on the Moon.


When you are in moons shadow?

When you are in the moon's shadow during a solar eclipse, you experience a total solar eclipse, which is when the moon completely blocks the sun's light. This creates a temporary moment of darkness during the day, and you can see the sun's corona, stars, and planets in the sky. It is a rare and awe-inspiring event to witness.


When the moon passes between the earth and the sun the moons shadow falls on the earth and causes what?

An eclipse of the Sun.


Why does a lunar and solar eclipse all have new and full moons?

-- During a lunar eclipse, the moon is in Earth's shadow. -- During a solar eclipse, a small part of Earth is in the moon's shadow. -- In order for either of these to happen, the Sun, Moon, and Earth must be all lined up. -- New Moon and Full Moon are the phases when Sun, Moon, and Earth are all lined up.


When you are in the moons shadow what is it called?

When you are in the moon's shadow during a solar eclipse, it is called the umbra. This is the central, darkest part of the shadow where the sun is completely blocked by the moon. Outside of the umbra is the penumbra, where the sun is only partially blocked, resulting in a partial eclipse.


Explain how a lunar eclipse differs from a solar eclipse?

The basic difference is when a lunar elise happens the earths shadow falls on the moon and therefore the moon is not illuminated, with a solar eclipse the moons shadow falls on the earth and the sun is covered by the moon. In both cases the sun moon and earth have to be 'in line'. Lunar eclipse; Sun, earth, moon. Solar eclipse; Sun, moon, earth. It is one of the great coincidences that the moons' size and distance from the earth almost matches the apparent size of the sun, hence we can have the type of total eclipse that we do. If the moon was any bigger or smaller or if it was more distant or nearer to earth this would not be quite the case.


What do you call the phenomenon that occurs when the full moon moves into the earth's shadow and is blacked out?

solar eclipse lunar eclipse solar is when the moons shadow blocks out the sun


What is the earth is in the moons shadow?

Since the Moon is quite a bit smaller than Earth, the Moon's shadow can only cover part of Earth's surface. In that case, the people in that shadow will see a solar eclipse.