ICSE Class 9 Answered

a. A Lunar Eclipse occurs when the Sun, the Earth and the Moon are in a straight line with the Earth coming in between the Sun and the Moon. The shadow of the Earth is then cast on the Moon. Since the Moon does not receive any light from the Sun, it does not reflect any light. Thus the Moon does not appear at all. A lunar eclipse can occur only on a Full Moon day.When the Moon receives only some light from the Sun and is partially visible on the Earth it is called a partial lunar eclipse.

b. A Solar Eclipse occurs when the Sun, the Earth and the Moon come in a straight line, with the Moon coming in between the Sun and the Earth. In such a scenario, the shadow of the Moon is cast on the Earth. When the Sun appears as a black circular disc with a ring of a light, it is known as the annular eclipse. A Solar eclipse occurs on a New Moon day.