<P> A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly behind the Earth into its umbra ( shadow ) . This can occur only when the sun , Earth , and moon are aligned ( in `` syzygy '' ) exactly , or very closely so , with the Earth in the middle . Hence , a lunar eclipse can occur only the night of a full moon . The type and length of an eclipse depend upon the Moon 's location relative to its orbital nodes . </P>
<P> A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly behind the Earth into its umbra ( shadow ) . This can occur only when the sun , Earth , and moon are aligned ( in `` syzygy '' ) exactly , or very closely so , with the Earth in the middle . Hence , a lunar eclipse can occur only the night of a full moon . The type and length of an eclipse depend upon the Moon 's location relative to its orbital nodes . </P>
when does a lunar eclipse occur yahoo answers
when does a lunar eclipse occur yahoo answers
when the Moon passes directly behind the Earth into its umbra ( shadow )
when the Moon passes directly behind the Earth into its umbra ( shadow )