Eclipses

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Eclipses

A Lunar Eclipse is simply when the moon passes through the Earth's shadow. As the shadow always appears circular regardless of where the Eclipse happens in the sky, this proves the Earth must be a globe. This was realised by the ancient Greeks over 2000 years ago. If the Earth was a flat disk, then this shadow would be a flat plane if the Eclipse was low in the sky. This has never been seen. Some adults today believe the Earth really is flat; ignore them - see them on the 'Wonky Science' page under the Secondary School section.

Solar & Lunar Eclipses are fairly frequent and are simply an alignment of bodies that cast a shadow either from the Moon to the Earth or Earth to the Moon. Here is a map of future solar eclipses and where they can be seen. These tracks are for totality but partial eclipses will be seen either side of every track. Note the 2026 eclipse near Ireland. The 2017 eclipse across the USA was the best opportunity for many.

21st August 2017 (best total solar eclipse in USA for many years). We saw one from North Carolina. Another crossed the USA in 2024. We saw that one from Texas.

For the ultimate details of any future eclipse try out the Eclipse website on our links page.