How Do You Tell the Difference Between Total, Annular, Solar, and Lunar Eclipses?: Quick Facts

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The moon covers most of the sun during a solar eclipse, with a bright ring of sunlight and glowing corona visible around the dark silhouette.

Diagram showing a solar eclipse, with the Sun, Moon, and Earth aligned. The Moon casts a dark umbra shadow on Earth for a total eclipse and a lighter penumbra for a partial eclipse.

Diagram showing a lunar eclipse with the Sun on the left, Earth in the center casting a shadow, and the Moon passing through Earth's umbra (total shadow) and penumbra (partial shadow).

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