How many can you solve? A surprising trivia and fun facts quiz about total lunar eclipses
Total lunar eclipses have long captivated humanity as a mysterious celestial show.
People have found many meanings in the moon glowing red, but behind this curious phenomenon lie fascinating history and scientific mechanisms.
So here, we present fun facts about total lunar eclipses in a quiz format! From the true nature of the blood moon to the mystery of the Saros cycle, we invite both astronomy fans and beginners to a world of trivia you can enjoy.
Try it with family and friends and rediscover the moon’s allure!
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How many can you solve? Surprising trivia & fun facts quiz about total lunar eclipses (1–10)
From the shape of Earth’s shadow cast on the Moon during a lunar eclipse, what would the ancient Greeks have inferred?
- The Earth is flat.
- The Earth is triangular.
- The Earth is a sphere.
See the answer
The Earth is a sphere.
Please focus on the shape of the shadow as you think about it. In a total lunar eclipse, the Earth’s shadow on the Moon is always round, which led the ancient Greeks to infer that the Earth is a sphere. This is because the shadow of a flat object is not necessarily round.
In theory, when does a total lunar eclipse last the longest—at which part of Earth’s shadow does the Moon pass?
- the central part of the umbra
- edge of the umbra
- the middle of the umbra
See the answer
the central part of the umbra
If the Moon passes through the central part of the umbra, it remains within the umbra for the longest distance, so the total lunar eclipse lasts the longest. If it passes near the edge, the distance it travels through the shadow is shorter, and the totality is shorter. During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon passes through Earth’s umbra.
What is the scale, named after the astronomer who proposed it, that describes the brightness and coloration of the Moon during a lunar eclipse?
- Lambert scale
- Dungeon Scale
- Hubble scale
See the answer
Dungeon Scale
The 'Danjon scale' for assessing the brightness and degree of redness of the Moon during a total lunar eclipse was proposed by French astronomer André Danjon. It classifies brightness and hue using numbers from 1 to 5.
How many can you solve? Surprising Trivia & Fun Facts Quiz about Total Lunar Eclipses (11–20)
Under what positional relationship of the Earth, Moon, and Sun does a total lunar eclipse occur?
- When the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up in a straight line in that order
- When the Moon, Earth, and Sun are aligned in a straight line in that order
- When the Earth, the Sun, and the Moon are aligned in a straight line in that order
See the answer
When the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up in a straight line in that order
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align in that order in a straight line, and the Moon is completely immersed in Earth’s shadow. This causes Earth’s shadow to cover the Moon, producing a phenomenon in which the Moon appears copper-red. A total lunar eclipse is a very mysterious celestial show, but it only happens under a specific geometric alignment.
Under what positional relationship of the Earth, Moon, and Sun does a total lunar eclipse occur?
- When the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned in a straight line in that order
- When the Earth, Sun, and Moon are aligned in a straight line in that order
- When the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned in a straight line in that order
See the answer
When the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned in a straight line in that order
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up in that order, and the Moon is completely within Earth’s shadow. This can only be observed during a full moon. Think about the conditions required for a total lunar eclipse and picture them to enjoy the event even more!
What is it called when the Moon appears reddish-black during a total lunar eclipse?
- Blood Moon
- Blue Moon
- Supermoon
See the answer
Blood Moon
The phenomenon where the Moon appears dark red during a total lunar eclipse is called a “Blood Moon.” This is because red light, refracted by Earth’s atmosphere, reaches the Moon and makes it look coppery red. It’s an English nickname.
What do you call the darker part of Earth’s shadow that the Moon enters?
- umbra
- penumbra
- halo; aureole (visual phenomenon of seeing a bright ring), or dimness/blur around vision (as a medical symptom)
See the answer
umbra
The umbra (hon'ei) is the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, where sunlight is completely blocked. When the Moon enters this umbra, a total lunar eclipse occurs. It is the dark region of Earth’s shadow where the Moon is entirely hidden. The penumbra is the lighter part of the shadow.