article_snippet: An eclipse occurs when one heavenly body, such as a moon or planet, moves into the shadow of another.
article_snippet: For a lunar eclipse, Earth Earth moves between the sun and the Moon and blocks sunlight normally reflected by the Moon.
article_snippet: Instead of light hitting the Moon’s surface, Earth's shadow falls on Earth's shadow and a lunar eclipse can only happen when the Moon is full.
article_snippet: By comparison, a solar eclipse occurs when the orbit of the Moon moves Earth's shadow between the sun and Earth.
article_snippet: A solar eclipse occurs when the orbit of the moon moves Earth's shadow between the sun and Earth.
article_snippet: When this happens, the Moon blocks the light of the sun .
article_snippet: When this happens, the Moon blocks the light of the sun reaching Earth and the Moon casts a shadow on Earth.
article_snippet: : This occurs when the sun, moon and Earth don't line up exactly.