Shadow vs. Eclipse — What's the Difference?

In a psychological context, can denote the unseen, unconscious aspect of the personality.

Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon.

A dark figure or image cast on the ground or some surface by a body intercepting light.

Historic and cultural significance, often associated with myths and superstitions.

In art, shadows are used to add depth and perspective.

An obscuring of the light from one celestial body by the passage of another between it and the observer.

Used metaphorically to describe a faint or ephemeral presence.

Often used metaphorically to mean overshadowing or surpassing.

Can refer to shade or darkness.

Can lead to brief moments of darkness during the day, known as solar eclipses.

A shadow is a dark (real image) area where light from a light source is blocked by an opaque object. It occupies all of the three-dimensional volume behind an object with light in front of it.

An eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when an astronomical object or spacecraft is temporarily obscured, by passing into the shadow of another body or by having another body pass between it and the viewer. This alignment of three celestial objects is known as a syzygy.

A dark area or shape made by an object blocking rays of light.

An obscuring of the light from one celestial body by the passage of another between it and the observer or between it and its source of illumination

The darkness or diminished light caused by the blocking of a light source

A phase during which the distinctive markings of a bird (especially a male duck) are obscured by moulting of the breeding plumage

A darker area in a picture or photograph.

(of a celestial body) obscure the light from or to (another celestial body)

Shadows The darkness following sunset.

The partial or complete obscuring, relative to a designated observer, of one celestial body by another.

Often shadows A darkened area of skin under the eye.

The period of time during which such an obscuration occurs.

An incipient growth of beard that makes the skin look darker.

A temporary or permanent dimming or cutting off of light.

A feeling or cause of gloom or unhappiness

A disgraceful or humiliating end; a downfall:Revelations of wrongdoing helped bring about the eclipse of the governor's career.

A nearby or adjoining region; vicinity

To cause an eclipse of.

A dominating presence or influence

To obscure; darken.

An imitation or inferior version

To obscure or diminish in importance, fame, or reputation.

A phantom; a ghost.

To surpass; outshine:an outstanding performance that eclipsed the previous record.

An unsubstantial object of pursuit

(astronomy) An alignment of astronomical objects whereby one object comes between the observer (or notional observer) and another object, thus obscuring the latter.

One, such as a detective or spy, that follows or trails another.

Especially, an alignment whereby a planetary object (for example, the Moon) comes between the Sun and another planetary object (for example, the Earth), resulting in a shadow being cast by the middle planetary object onto the other planetary object.

A constant companion.

(ornithology) A seasonal state of plumage in some birds, notably ducks, adopted temporarily after the breeding season and characterised by a dull and scruffy appearance.

(Sports) A player who guards an opponent closely.

Obscurity, decline, downfall.

A faint indication; a foreshadowing

(transitive) Of astronomical or atmospheric bodies, to cause an eclipse.

An insignificant portion or amount; a trace

To overshadow; to be better or more noticeable than.

Shelter; protection

(Irish grammar) To undergo eclipsis.

To cast a shadow on; darken or shade

An interception or obscuration of the light of the sun, moon, or other luminous body, by the intervention of some other body, either between it and the eye, or between the luminous body and that illuminated by it. A lunar eclipse is caused by the moon passing through the earth's shadow; a solar eclipse, by the moon coming between the sun and the observer. A satellite is eclipsed by entering the shadow of its primary. The obscuration of a planet or star by the moon or a planet, though of the nature of an eclipse, is called an occultation. The eclipse of a small portion of the sun by Mercury or Venus is called a transit of the planet.

To make gloomy or troubled, especially over time

The loss, usually temporary or partial, of light, brilliancy, luster, honor, consciousness, etc.; obscuration; gloom; darkness.

To represent vaguely, mysteriously, or prophetically; foreshadow.

To cause the obscuration of; to darken or hide; - said of a heavenly body; as, the moon eclipses the sun.

To darken in a painting or drawing; shade in.

To obscure, darken, or extinguish the beauty, luster, honor, etc., of; to sully; to cloud; to throw into the shade by surpassing.

To follow, especially in secret; trail.

To suffer an eclipse.

(Sports) To guard (an opponent) closely throughout the playing area.

One celestial body obscures another

To become downcast or gloomy

Exceed in importance; outweigh;

Not having official status

Cause an eclipse of (a celestial body) by intervention;

A dark image projected onto a surface where light (or other radiation) is blocked by the shade of an object.

Cause an eclipse of; of celestial bodies;

Relative darkness, especially as caused by the interruption of light; gloom; obscurity.

An area protected by an obstacle (likened to an object blocking out sunlight).

(obsolete) A reflected image, as in a mirror or in water.

(figurative) That which looms as though a shadow.

A small degree; a shade.

An imperfect and faint representation.

A trainee, assigned to work with an experienced officer.

One who secretly or furtively follows another.

An inseparable companion.

(typography) A drop shadow effect applied to lettering in word processors etc.

An influence, especially a pervasive or a negative one.

A spirit; a ghost; a shade.

An uninvited guest accompanying one who was invited.

An unconscious aspect of the personality.

(transitive) To shade, cloud, or darken.

(transitive) To block light or radio transmission from.

To secretly or discreetly track or follow another, to keep under surveillance.

(transitive) To represent faintly and imperfectly.

(transitive) To hide; to conceal.

(transitive) To accompany (a professional) during the working day, so as to learn about an occupation one intends to take up.

To make (an identifier, usually a variable) inaccessible by declaring another of the same name within the scope of the first.

To apply the shadowing process to (the contents of ROM).

Unofficial, informal, unauthorized, but acting as though it were.

Having power or influence, but not widely known or recognized.

(politics) Acting in a leadership role before being formally recognized.

Part of, or related to, the opposition in government.

Darkness; shade; obscurity.

A shaded place; shelter; protection; security.

A reflected image, as in a mirror or in water.

A spirit; a ghost; a shade; a phantom.

An imperfect and faint representation; adumbration; indistinct image; dim bodying forth; hence, mystical representation; type.

A small degree; a shade.

An uninvited guest coming with one who is invited.

To cut off light from; to put in shade; to shade; to throw a shadow upon; to overspead with obscurity.

To conceal; to hide; to screen.

To protect; to shelter from danger; to shroud.

To mark with gradations of light or color; to shade.

To represent faintly or imperfectly; to adumbrate; hence, to represent typically.

To cloud; to darken; to cast a gloom over.

To attend as closely as a shadow; to follow and watch closely, especially in a secret or unobserved manner; as, a detective shadows a criminal.

Shade within clear boundaries

An unilluminated area;

Something existing in perception only;

A premonition of something adverse;

An indication that something has been present;

Refuge from danger or observation;

A dominating and pervasive presence;

A spy employed to follow someone and report their movements

An inseparable companion;

Follow, usually without the person's knowledge;

Cast a shadow over

Make appear small by comparison;

A shadow occurs when an opaque (or translucent) object blocks light, preventing it from reaching a surface.

A hybrid eclipse is a type of solar eclipse that shifts between being an annular and a total eclipse along its path.

No, shadows are dependent on light; without light, no shadows can form.

Yes, eclipses can be predicted with great accuracy due to their dependence on the celestial mechanics of the sun, Earth, and moon.

Eclipses occur at least twice a year but can be more frequent depending on the alignment of celestial bodies.

For solar eclipses, protective eyewear or indirect viewing methods are necessary to prevent eye damage.

A partial eclipse occurs when only part of the celestial body is obscured, while in a total eclipse, the celestial body is completely obscured.

Various myths from different cultures interpret eclipses as bad omens or significant celestial events affecting the gods.

Shadows include umbra, the fully shaded inner region, and penumbra, the partially shaded outer region.

An eclipse occurs when one celestial body moves into the shadow of another, either between the body and the sun or the body and the Earth.

Shadows aren't necessarily black; their color can vary depending on the intensity and color of the light source.

The duration of an eclipse varies; total solar eclipses can last up to several minutes, while lunar eclipses can be visible for a few hours.

Lunar eclipses last longer because the Earth's shadow is much larger than the moon's, taking more time to pass through.

Yes, solar eclipses can temporarily reduce the output of solar panels by blocking sunlight.

Many animals react to solar eclipses by altering their behavior, thinking it's twilight or night due to the darkening during the eclipse.