Astronomy Index
Earth Moon System

Total Lunar Eclipse

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the shadows of Earth and the Moon

The Earth and the Moon both cast shadows away from their sunlit sides.

The Moon's shadow varies in length from just below to just over the Earth-Moon distance - that is why the Moon casts such a small shadow that races over the Earth's surface during a solar eclipse.

The Earth's shadow is over a million km long. During a lunar eclipse, it takes the Moon around three hours to pass through it.