During a lunar eclipse, the moon passes through the shadow of the Earth. As we look at the moon from the Earth, it looks to us as if the shadow of the Earth is slowly covering the moon.

Click on the manual button then use the slider to control the movement of the moon.

Looking at the demonstration above, you may think that lunar eclipses happen very often. The Sun, Earth, and Moon must be lined up just right, in order for a lunar eclipse to take place. This happens very rarely. In most years there are only two lunar eclipses that can be seen only from certain places on Earth.

For a fun shadow activity, visit our Shadowbox Theatre activity site.

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