Science: Solar & Lunar Eclipses

 Hi there!

Today I will be writing about lunar eclipses and solar eclipses, something we have recently learnt in Science class.

Solar eclipse in Maba, Indonesia

A solar eclipse happens when light from the sun is blocked by the moon, preventing it from reaching earth. This creates pitch black darkness during the day, however it is only for a short period of time. The place where a solar eclipse happens will be completely dark. The last full solar eclipse happened on March 9, 2016. This eclipse was fully visible in parts of Indonesia and it was partially visible in Australia, south Asia, and east Asia. The next solar eclipse is supposed to happen on December 4 this year in Antarctica, while the next one in New Zealand is due to happen on 22 July, 2028. Below is a diagram of a solar eclipse:

 

A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon is blocked by the earth and it disappears, as the sun's light cannot reach it, therefore, making the moon unable to reflect light. So, while it is night time and there is a lunar eclipse, the moon will temporarily disappear. The last lunar eclipse in New Zealand happened on 26 May, 2021. The next lunar eclipse in New Zealand is going to happen on 19 November, 2021, however it will not be a full eclipse, only partial. Below is a diagram of a lunar eclipse:

Thanks for reading!