What is the difference between a Solar Eclipse and a Lunar Eclipse?

The correct answer is A! 

If you picked B, this is a Annular Solar Eclipse. 
If you picked C, this is a Total Lunar Eclipse. 

Want to learn more? 
Join us June 9th for our Solar Eclipse webinar or download it after the LIVE recording!

Solar Eclipses vs. Lunar Eclipses:

The main difference between the Solar and Lunar Eclipses is the placement of the Moon and Earth. For instance, a solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth by blocking the Sun’s light in some areas. If the Earth moves in between the Sun and Moon, this is now a Lunar Eclipse when the Earth is casting a shadow onto the Moon and is visible from more areas on Earth. 

Types of Solar Eclipses:

There are a few different types of Solar Eclipses- Total, Annular, and Partial. In order for a Total Solar Eclipse to happen, the Sun, Moon, and Earth need to be lined up (including the lunar nodes). You may remember that in the Summer of 2017 the United States experienced a Total Solar Eclipse that spanned across the country. However, June 2021, there will be an Annular Solar Eclipse (Option B from above). Which happens when the Moon is far enough away (elongation) from Earth that the Moon appears smaller than the Sun in the sky. Since the Moon does not block the entire view of the Sun, it will look like a dark circle on top of a larger, brighter ring. This creates what looks like a ring of fire around the Moon. And finally, there are Partial Solar Eclipses which happen when the Moon does not fully block the light of the Sun.

Don't forget the Annular Solar Eclipse (in Gemini) is happening June 10th, 2021. Only visible to locations in northern United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, and Greenland. But there will be a live stream of the 2021 Solar Eclipse if you are not within the view!