![\"Solar](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1757063467_451_960x0.jpg\")
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A montage of moon images during a total solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse<\/p>\n
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A total lunar eclipse<\/a> \u2014 also known as a \u201cBlood Moon\u201d \u2014 is a rare celestial event coming this weekend. Since it occurs before moonrise, North Americans will see it only as a regular full moon<\/a> appearing during dusk on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. Two weeks later, a solar eclipse, another rare occurrence, will take place.<\/p>\n Do you know the difference, what causes them and why they come in pairs? Here\u2019s everything you need to know about the difference between a lunar and a solar eclipse<\/a> \u2014 and when the next eclipses are.<\/p>\n Forbes\u2018Blood Moon\u2019 Eclipse September 2025: When To See The \u2018Corn Moon\u2019 RiseBy Jamie Carter<\/a><\/p>\n What Is A Lunar Eclipse?<\/p>\n A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is directly between the sun and the moon. That is only possible during a full moon. Normally, this is when the sun fully illuminates the whole of the moon, and we see it rise in the east and set in the west, all the while fully illuminated. However, a couple of times each year, the rough alignment of sun-Earth-moon becomes exact, and the moon travels through Earth\u2019s dark shadow in space. This is a lunar eclipse, when Earth\u2019s shadow darkens the moon. There are three types of lunar eclipse:<\/p>\n Total Lunar Eclipse: The moon passes through Earth\u2019s umbra (its dark inner shadow) and its surface glows a coppery-red color as sunlight filters through Earth\u2019s atmosphere \u2014 that\u2019s the \u201cblood moon\u201d (though it\u2019s never blood-red). Some lunar eclipses are merely penumbral, or partial. However, a partial lunar eclipse includes a penumbral phase, and a total lunar eclipse includes a partial and a penumbral phase. This makes them long events, with Sunday\u2019s event lasting 5 hours 27 minutes in total, though the \u201cblood moon\u201d part \u2014 totality \u2014 will last 1 hour and 22 minutes.<\/p>\n Unlike solar eclipses, all lunar eclipses are completely safe to view at all times with the naked eye, binoculars and telescopes.<\/p>\n When Are The Next Lunar Eclipses?<\/p>\n The second total lunar eclipse of 2025 will occur on September 7-8, and will be best seen from Asia, Africa and eastern Europe. The next one after that will occur on March 2-3, 2026, when an 82-minute \u201cblood moon\u201d will be seen from western North America, Australia and East Asia.<\/p>\n ForbesWhere To See A \u2018Blood Moon\u2019 Total Lunar Eclipse This WeekendBy Jamie Carter<\/a> A solar eclipse is completely different from a lunar eclipse. It happens when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, blocking sunlight from reaching Earth for a short time. It can therefore only occur at the new moon, a phase when the moon is roughly in front of the sun. However, the alignment has to be precise. It can only happen at all because the moon is almost exactly the same apparent size in the sky as the sun. That\u2019s because the moon is roughly 400 times smaller than the sun, but about 400 times closer \u2014 though that’s not always the case because the moon has a slightly elliptical orbit. There are three main kinds of solar eclipses:<\/p>\n Total Solar Eclipse: The moon completely covers the sun, bringing darkness in the day for a few minutes. During this totality, observers standing within a narrow path of totality can see the sun\u2019s outer atmosphere, known as the corona, with the naked eye. Since looking directly at the sun can cause permanent eye damage, it’s crucial to wear eclipse glasses or solar filters at all stages of a partial and annular eclipse. Only during totality \u2014 which lasts just a few minutes or even seconds \u2014 can solar eclipse glasses be safely removed.<\/p>\n When Are The Next Solar Eclipses?<\/p>\n Some skywatchers will see 2025\u2019s second partial solar eclipse on Sept. 21 over New Zealand, Antarctica and the western South Pacific. Up to 94% of the sun will be covered by the moon, making for a dramatic sight at sunrise. The next annular solar eclipse is on Feb. 17, 2026 (in Antarctica), and the total solar eclipse is on Aug. 12, 2026, in Greenland, Iceland and Spain<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n Partial Lunar Eclipse: Only part of the moon is covered by Earth\u2019s umbra. To see the edge of Earth\u2019s curved shadow move across the lunar surface is very special, but there\u2019s almost no color change.
\n Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: The moon travels through Earth\u2019s faint outer shadow, its penumbra, causing only subtle dimming. It\u2019s a very subtle sight.<\/p>\n
\nWhat Is A Solar Eclipse?<\/p>\n
\n Partial Solar Eclipse: The moon crosses only part of the sun. These are more common and can be seen over a wider area, and at no point can they be viewed with the naked eye.
\n Annular Solar Eclipse: When the moon is slightly farther from Earth and appears slightly smaller than the sun\u2019s apparent size, it doesn\u2019t cover the sun completely. Instead, a bright \u201cring of fire\u201d can be seen around the dark lunar disk.<\/p>\n