Lunar eclipse: Quick Facts

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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).

The moon partially covered by Earth's shadow during a lunar eclipse, with the shadow creating a dark arc across the moon's surface.

An animated image of a total lunar eclipse

Solar and Lunar Eclipses, Explained

A woman stands in front of a diagram showing the Earth casting a shadow on the Moon during a lunar eclipse, with a banner reading What happens during a lunar eclipse?

Time-lapse: A total lunar eclipse

How do solar and lunar eclipses occur?

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Topics

How Do You Tell the Difference Between Total, Annular, Solar, and Lunar Eclipses?Eclipses in 2026, 2027, and 2028 What Causes Lunar and Solar Eclipses?Eclipse Moon Transit Solar eclipse Occultation Earthshine Ingress Where Did the Moon Come From?How many moons does Earth have?How big is the Moon?8 Questions About the Moon Answered The Sun Was Eaten: 6 Ways Cultures Have Explained Eclipses

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Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.

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Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.

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