How Does a Lunar Eclipse Happen?

The Earth orbits the Sun, and the Moon orbits the Earth. Sunlight falls on both the Earth and the Moon. The light that falls on the Moon is reflected back to Earth, allowing us to see the Moon. During the orbits of the Earth and Moon, sometimes one comes between the others.

When the Earth comes between the Moon and the Sun, the Sun's rays cannot reach the Moon. The Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon, covering it. On a full moon day, the entire moon should be visible, but during an eclipse, the Moon gets covered. This is called a lunar eclipse. Lunar eclipses can happen up to five times a year. They are visible from half the Earth’s surface. We can watch lunar eclipses and they do not cause any harm. Many superstitions are linked with eclipses, but scientists clarify these are just traditional beliefs without any truth.