Time, Moon Phases, and Eclipses

Telling Time from the Sky Motion of the Sun on the horizon animation Motion of the Sun on the horizon simulation

The Analemma (movie)

The Analemma

Moon Phases Half the Moon always is illuminated, but as it orbits us, our view of the bright half changes. Moon Phase Simulator Moon Phase Quizzer 3 Views

Solar Eclipse = the Moon blocks our view of the Sun, i.e. we are in the Moon’s shadow.

Total solar eclipse: November 13, 2012 Northern Australia Australia Eclipse 1 Australia Eclipse 2

Solar eclipse: March 29, 2006

Lunar Eclipse = Earth blocks the Moon’s “view” of the Sun, i.e. The Moon is in Earth’s shadow.

Why don’t we have a lunar eclipse every month?

Early January Early July