ELI5: What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?

Imagine the Sun is like a big, bright light bulb, the Earth is like a basketball, and the Moon is like a tennis ball.

Solar Eclipse:

Think of a solar eclipse like this: You're standing and looking at the light bulb (Sun). Now, your friend (the Moon) comes and stands right in front of you, blocking your view of the light bulb. Your friend's shadow falls on you. That's a solar eclipse!

• The Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth.
• The Moon blocks the Sun's light.
• It gets dark during the day, but only in a small area where the Moon's shadow falls.
• You need special glasses to look at a solar eclipse so you don't hurt your eyes!

Now imagine you're still standing and looking at the light bulb (Sun). This time, your basketball (Earth) comes between you and the light bulb. The basketball casts a shadow on your friend (the Moon). Your friend gets dimmer or even a little reddish. That's a lunar eclipse!

• The Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon.
• The Earth blocks the Sun's light from reaching the Moon.
• The Moon looks dimmer or reddish.
• Lunar eclipses happen at night and you don't need special glasses to look at them.

• Solar Eclipse: Moon blocks the Sun, daytime, need special glasses.
• Lunar Eclipse: Earth blocks the Sun from the Moon, nighttime, no special glasses needed.