Hobbies And Interests
Positioning
It takes three celestial bodies for either eclipse to occur: Earth, its moon and the sun. When Earth passes between the moon and the sun and blocks the sun's light from hitting the moon, a lunar eclipse occurs. Likewise, when the moon passes between Earth and the sun a solar eclipse occurs, with the moon blocking the sun's light from reaching Earth.
Night and Day
Lunar eclipses happen only at night and solar eclipses only during the day. Lunar eclipses are much easier to see with the naked eye than solar eclipses, because looking into a portion of the sun without the aid of filters can be very dangerous. Further, with the moon more than 300 times closer to Earth than the sun, lunar eclipses are much easier to see.
Frequency
There is a common perception that eclipses of any kind are very rare but, in fact, they are fairly common. The ability to observe an eclipse is hindered on Earth much of the time. Due to the tilt of the moon's orbit respective to Earth's elliptic, the ability to observe a lunar eclipse is hindered -- although they happen quite frequently.
Effect
Solar and lunar eclipses have had profound impacts on civilizations and their beliefs over the years. A solar eclipse in the sixth century B.C. during the middle of a major war caused both sides to stop fighting and make peace. It's also believed that Stonehenge may have been used as a solar and lunar calendar to measure eclipse probability to warn local populations.