The Earth is constantly rotating around the Sun, and the Moon is constantly rotating around the Earth.

Sometimes all three can align, placing the Earth directly between the Sun and the Moon in a straight line.

A “total lunar eclipse” is when the Moon turns deep red, receiving only light that’s passed through Earth’s atmosphere.

“Penumbral lunar eclipses” happen when the Sun, Moon, and Earth fail to form a perfectly straight line, so the Moon only travels through the outer part of Earth’s shadow.

Lastly, a “partial lunar eclipse” describes when part of the Moon travels through Earth’s full shadow – which results in part of the Moon being darkened.