Introduction
Full Moon in 2010
The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. It is also the fifth largest natural satellite in the solar system.
It has a rocky surface, like most of the Inner Planets. It has many craters on its surface, mountains, and basins known as seas, resembling Mercury. The Moon's gravity pulls on Earth, causing the ocean's tides. The Moon's tempatures range from -279 degrees to 242 degrees Fahrenheit. The Moon orbits the Earth in 27 days.
Eclipses
Solar EclipseA solar eclipse occurs when the new moon passes between the Earth and the sun. Then the sun is partially or completely blocked from view. There are four types of solar eclipses. Total solar eclipse: the moon completely blocks the sun. Annular solar eclipse: the moon passes in front of the sun, but appears small because it is not a new moon. Hybrid solar eclipse: appears as a total and annular eclipse in different parts of Earth. Partial solar eclipse: the moon only partially blocks the sun.
The 1999 Total Solar Eclipse.
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Lunar EclipseA lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes behind the Earth's shadow. This happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align on a full moon night. There are three types of lunar eclipses. Penumbral lunar eclipse: the moon passes behind the Earth's light shadow. Partial lunar eclipse: the moon passes behind only part of Earth's shadow. Total lunar eclipse: the moon passes behind all of Earth's shadow.
The Total Lunar Eclipse of June 2011.
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