A lunar eclipse occurs when the sun and moon are aligned with the Earth in between them. Earth then casts a temporary shadow on the moon as it blocks the suns rays. As opposed to a partial eclipse, total eclipses entail a perfect alignment of the three bodies. During the lunar eclipse the shadow of the earth can be seen engulfing the moon. At the peak hour of the eclipse the moon completely disappears and reappears as the sun, earth and moon move out of line.
