Your question is a good question that most people don't take the time to think about. I finally did when my daughter answered. She's a very visual person and the following web site was useful. Hopefully it will be to you. http://macd28.colorado.edu/Astro/visuals/phases.html : : : I'm having trouble figuring out the difference between a lunar eclipse and the phase of the moon where you can't see the moon (New Moon phase). I understand that a lunar eclipse is when the earth is exactly lined up between the sun and moon, thus an eclipse, but how do the phases of the moon work? And how is it you can't see the moon for one of those phases? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I've asked 5 different web sites and no has bothered to explain it, I'd appreciate the help.

• Re: Moon phases vs lunar eclipse - Allen/">Allen - January 18, 2000 - 14:44 UTC