For those that were lucky enough to see it, last month’s total lunar eclipse lit up the sky with a stunning red-tinged blood moon.
And the good news is that we’ll be treated to another eclipse very soon – but this time, it’s a solar eclipse.
But what’s the difference between the two?
While a solar eclipse happens when sunlight is blocked by the moon, a lunar eclipse occurs when the moon lines up directly with the sun and Earth, causing Earth’s shadow to fall on the moon.
Here’s everything you need to know about a Lunar and Solar Eclipse.
SOLAR ECLIPSE
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the light from the sun is blocked by the moon as it passes between the Earth and Sun.
During a total eclipse, the disk of the sun is completed obscured by the moon, while a partial eclipse sees the sun being only partly covered.
Solar eclipses occur around two to four times a year.
When is the next solar eclipse?
The next solar eclipse will be a partial solar eclipse, and will take place during daylight hours on Saturday 11 August.
August’s eclipse will happen at the same time as the new moon, giving you the chance to see two stunning displays at once.
How can I see the next solar eclipse?
The best time for you to see the partial solar eclipse will vary depending on your location.
For people in London, the partial eclipse will begin at 09:02, while the peak will be at 10:46.
You can find out the best time to see it in your area here.
This partial eclipse will be most visible to people in North/East Europe, North/West Asia, North in North America and the Arctic.
On a worldwide scale, the partial eclipse will last around 3.5 hours, starting at sunrise in northeastern North America and ending at sunset along the Asian Pacific Coast.
How to take a photo of a solar eclipse
Be extremely careful if you’re trying to hold the camera up to the Sun – the rays will still fry your eyes as you try to line up the shot – wear protective glasses to set up the shot.
Once you’re wearing your safety glasses, it’s OK to look at the eclipse through your smartphone or digital camera screen, but it’s still not a good idea to look through any kind of telephoto lens or binoculars.
If your digital camera has a screen that can be pulled out at an angle, then you can set the camera up pointing at the Sun, while viewing the frame safely on the screen at 90 degrees to it.
What happens when you look at it?
We all know that looking directly at the Sun is bad for our eyes, but the blackout associated with a solar eclipse can lull people into a false sense of security.
It’s hard to look at the Sun on a normal day because it’s so bright, but during an eclipse the shade created by the Moon passing in front of the Sun makes it easier.
But don’t be fooled. Looking at the Sun, even during an eclipse, can cause permanent eye damage.
LUNAR ECLIPSE
What is a lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth lines up directly between the sun and moon.
When this occurs, Earth blocks the light from the sun to the moon, causing Earth’s shadow to fall on the moon.
When only part of the moon enters the Earth’s shadow, this is known as a partial eclipse.
During a total lunar eclipse, when Earth completely blocks the sunlight, the moon can appear red or orange – known as a blood moon.
Penumbral lunar eclipses occur when the moon only passes through the outer part of Earth’s shadow. These are very subtle and hard to see.
At least two, lunar eclipses happen every year, and sometimes there are as many as five, though total lunar eclipses are less common.
When is the next lunar eclipse?
The next lunar eclipse will take place on 21 January 2019, with the Earth’s shadow completely obscuring the moon for around an hour.
And as well as the opportunity to see a total lunar eclipse, stargazers will also be treated to a supermoon.
A supermoon can only happen when the moon is full, and makes our lunar satellite appear larger and brighter than usual.
The total eclipse will be followed by a partial eclipse on 16 July. And after January’s eclipse, there won’t be another total eclipse until May 2021.
How can I see the next lunar eclipse?
Lunar eclipses can be seen from anywhere on the night side of Earth.
August’s total eclipse will be visible over Europe, north-west Africa and the Americas.
Lunar eclipses last longer than solar eclipses so you have plenty of time to pick the best viewing spot.
And unlike solar eclipses, looking directly at a lunar eclipse won’t damage your eyes.
How to take a photo of a lunar eclipse
As lunar eclipses last for longer and can be seen from more places around the globe, you’ve got a good chance of photographing one.
You’re unlikely to get an amazing shot with a smartphone or compact camera you might be able to catch the red glow of the moon by turning off your flash and playing with the light settings.
It’s also a good idea to include some scenery, such as trees or buildings in your shot if you can, to give it some context.
As the eclipse will last for a while, you’ll have time to tweak your settings until you get a decent shot.
You’ll get better result with a DSLR, especially if you use it with a large lens and mount it on a tripod to keep it steady.
You’ll need to continue to adjust your settings as the moon gets darker but you should aim for a high shutter speed, high ISO and take multiple shots until you get the result you want.
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