Science Common Sense

1036 - What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?

Imagine you have three main things: Earth, Sun, and Moon.

• A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth, blocking sunlight and creating a shadow on the Earth.
• A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, blocking sunlight that would normally shine on the Moon, making it darker. This can only happen during a full moon.

So the big difference is that a solar eclipse affects daytime sunlight on Earth, while a lunar eclipse affects nighttime light on the Moon.