Eclipses

A solar eclipse, not to be confused with a lunar eclipse, is a phenomenon that occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. In a total solar eclipse, the sun is almost completely blacked out. All that you can see in the sky is a "ring of fire" that is only just a great show of the sun's photosphere, the outermost layer of the star. In a partial solar eclipse the sun is only, well, partially, blocked out by the moon. A lunar eclipse is basicly the opposite. It occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon casting a shadow over it. In a partial lunar eclipse Earth's shadow doesn't completely cover the Moon reavealing a sliver of white. In a total lunar eclipse, Earth's shadow is cast completely cast over the Moon. For a few minutes you can not seee the slightest bit of the moon. Then it emerges from behind the dark shadow.