Eclipse The earth, along with the other planets, revolves around the sun in its orbit. In turn, the moon revolves around the earth in the moon's orbit. There comes a time when the three heavenly bodies get aligned in the same straight line. This is when an eclipse occurs. It is defined as an astronomical phenomenon that occurs when one spatial object comes within the shadow of another spatial object. This obstructs the observer from seeing one of them in space. On earth, we witness two types of eclipses: solar and lunar. Solar Eclipse Also known as the eclipse of the sun, it occurs when the moon comes in between the sun and the earth. As a result, the moon blocks the light of the sun from reaching the earth's surface and casts a shadow on it. This occurs in a new moon phase. Lunar Eclipse Also known as the eclipse of the moon, it occurs when the earth comes in between the sun and the moon. As a result, the earth blocks the light of the sun from reaching the moon's surface and casts its shadow on the moon. It occurs on a full moon day.