Video narration
Eclipses are natural sky events—not superstition. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, blocking the Sun for a moment. It occurs at new moon, and daytime can dim. Solar eclipses come in three types: total, where the Sun is fully covered; partial, where only part is covered; and annular, the “ring of fire,” when the Moon looks smaller and a bright ring remains. A lunar eclipse is the opposite alignment: Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, and Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon. It happens at full moon. Lunar eclipses can be total, partial, or penumbral, when the Moon only passes through the lighter outer shadow and just looks slightly darker. Sometimes the Moon appears reddish. Safety rule: never look at a solar eclipse without proper eclipse glasses or a solar filter. Lunar eclipses are safe to watch with your naked eyes.