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Astronomy/Whats the difference between an eclipse and a total eclipse?

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Expert: Steven LJ Russo - 12/5/2009


Question
I have a science project for school and one of the questions is what is the difference between an eclipse and a total eclipse. I have been looking at heaps of different websites, but none will give me the answer i am looking for. I am hoping you can help me with this.
Hayley

Answer
The word ECLIPSE, means ANY kind of Eclipse.

a TOTAL Eclipse is when the Sun is TOTALLY eclipsed (Solar Eclipse), or when the Earths shadow TOTALLY crosses the Moon (Lunar Eclipse).

For more about Eclipses see my friends web site at:

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html

Steve

Astronomy

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Steven LJ Russo

Expertise

As a space science educator in a planetarium, my work centers around teaching people about the night sky and the solar system. I have a strong background in those areas, plus the history of NASA and spaceflight, and meteorology.

Experience

Experience in the area. I have been an amateur astronomer for 47 years, and have been teachng space science in planetariums for 34 years. For 15 years I was a radio and television meteorologist, and for the past 20 years I have been a space science writer for two newspapers in New York State. I am a member of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society and the International Planetarium Society. I have had a number of articles published in several astronomy journals, including "The Constellation" and the "Planetarian". Education/Credentials. I hold a B. S. from Wagner College and an M. S. from State University of New York at Oswego. Awards and Honors. I have been awarded the "Fellows" award from the International Planetarium Society for more than 20 years of continuous service in the planetarium field.

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