There are two types of eclipses: solar eclipses which occur when the moon passes between the earth and sun, and lunar eclipses which occur when the earth passes between the sun and moon. During a solar eclipse, the moon can block all, some, or none of the sun, resulting in total, partial, or annular eclipses. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely covers the sun, briefly turning day to night, while partial eclipses only block part of the sun. Lunar eclipses occur during a full moon when the earth blocks the sun's light from reaching the moon, causing it to take on a red color from the sunlight bending through the earth's atmosphere.