Why do lunar eclipses last longer then solar eclipses?
From Earths surface the Moon and Sun appear to be approximately the same angular size with an angular diameter of degree. Because of this similarity, when the Moon covers the Sun during a solar eclipse totality lasts mere minutes. During a lunar eclipse Earth is blocking the sunlight from the Moon. From the Moons surface Earth has an angular diameter of approximately 2 degrees making it appear much larger than the Sun. Because the shadow of Earth is so much bigger then the Moon it takes longer for the Moon to pass through it. Does it have to be night to see a lunar eclipse? Lunar eclipses can only be seen from the side of Earth that is not facing the Sun. They are thus only visible at night. Lunar eclipses occur only at the full Moon phase while solar eclipses occur at a new Moon phase. Why can you still see the moon? During a lunar eclipse the Moon is shadowed and no direct sunlight may reach its surface. It is still visible because Earths atmosphere bends and scatters light allowing
