What is a lunar eclipse? NASA explains

NASA says that there are two types of eclipses: lunar and solar. During a lunar eclipse, Earth’s shadow obscures the Moon. During a solar eclipse, the Moon blocks the Sun from view on Earth.

Moons are celestial bodies that orbit planets and even asteroids in our solar system. Earth has one moon, and NASA says there are more than 200 moons in our solar system. Most of the major planets – all except Mercury and Venus – have moons. (REUTERS)

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1/5 Moons are celestial bodies that orbit planets and even asteroids in our solar system. Earth has one moon, and NASA says there are more than 200 moons in our solar system. Most of the major planets – all except Mercury and Venus – have moons. (REUTERS)

Lunar eclipse is when the earth comes between the sun and the moon thereby blocking the sunlight from reaching the moon. It too is of two types. One is a partial lunar eclipse and another is a total lunar eclipse. (Anuwar Hazarika /ANI)

2/5 Lunar eclipse is when the earth comes between the sun and the moon thereby blocking the sunlight from reaching the moon. It too is of two types. One is a partial lunar eclipse and another is a total lunar eclipse. (Anuwar Hazarika /ANI)

NASA says that a total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon and Sun are on opposite sides of Earth. A partial lunar eclipse happens when only part of Earth's shadow covers the Moon. (REUTERS)

3/5 NASA says that a total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon and Sun are on opposite sides of Earth. A partial lunar eclipse happens when only part of Earth's shadow covers the Moon. (REUTERS)

During some stages of the lunar eclipse the moon appears reddish. This is because the sunlight remaining reaches the moon at the point from the edges of the earth. (Samir Kar / ANI)

4/5 During some stages of the lunar eclipse the moon appears reddish. This is because the sunlight remaining reaches the moon at the point from the edges of the earth. (Samir Kar / ANI)

American astronauts have planted six flags on the moon but that doesn't mean that the United States has claimed it. There is an international law that prevents anybody to own land on the moon and claiming its stake. (AFP)

5/5 American astronauts have planted six flags on the moon but that doesn't mean that the United States has claimed it. There is an international law that prevents anybody to own land on the moon and claiming its stake. (AFP)