Orbital & Light Ray Geometry
Ecliptic View (XY/Z)
Ground Observer Vantage
FOV 1.2° Sky View
0.0° (New)
0.00°
363,300 km (Perigee)
The Geometry of Syzygy: An eclipse only occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align in straight 3-body syzygy. Because the Moon's orbit is tilted 5.14° relative to the ecliptic plane, syzygy misses during most New and Full moons, passing above or below the shadow cones.
Umbra, Penumbra & Antumbra: The Umbra is the completely dark inner cone where the light source is totally blocked. If the Moon is at apogee (furthest from Earth), its umbral cone terminates in space, projecting an Antumbra that yields an Annular "Ring of Fire" eclipse.
Lunar Rayleigh Scattering: During a Total Lunar Eclipse, Earth's atmosphere filters blue light and bends red sunlight into the umbra, bathing the Moon in a deep copper "Blood Moon" crimson glow.