Ancient peoples both feared and revered Solar and Lunar Eclipses as they happened so rarely. Explain the following about eclipses: 1. Why are SOLAR eclipses more rare then lunar eclipses.

2. Explain what must occur for a SOLAR eclipse to occur.

3. Explain what must occur for a LUNAR eclipse to occur.

Lunar and solar eclipses occur with about equal frequency. Lunar eclipses are more widely visible because Earth casts a much larger shadow on the Moon during a lunar eclipse than the Moon casts on Earth during a solar eclipse. As a result, you are more likely to see a lunar eclipse than a solar eclipse.

For a total eclipse to take place, the sun, moon and Earth must be in a direct line. The second type of solar eclipse is a partial solar eclipse. This happens when the sun, moon and Earth are not exactly lined up. The sun appears to have a dark shadow on only a small part of its surface.

For a lunar eclipse to occur, the Sun, Earth, and Moon must be roughly aligned in a line