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A lunar eclipse in Platamon, Greece in June 2011 showing the stages of the eclipse at the moon passes across the sky.
We usually see the Moon because it reflects the light of the Sun. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly behind Earth and into its shadow. This only occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned with Earth in the middle. During a total lunar eclipse the Earth completely blocks direct sunlight from reaching the Moon. The only light reflected from the lunar surface has been refracted by Earth's atmosphere which appears red in colour like a sunset or sunrise does.
