Eclipse

When the light from the Sun is blocked by a moon or planet, it’s called an “eclipse.”

The most famous kind of eclipse is a solar eclipse, when the light of the Sun is blocked by the Moon.

A Solar Eclipse

How it Happens

A lunar eclipse is when the light of the Sun is blocked from shining on the Moon by the Earth.

A Lunar Eclipse

How it Happens

These excellent photos & diagrams come from http://www.mreclipse.com/MrEclipse.html

Tonight from 7:00 pm to about 8:30 pm, you should be able to watch a lunar eclipse – if it isn’t too cloudy! Just look for the full moon and then watch it turn red.

In conversation English, “to eclipse” can also mean to make another thing or person less famous or successful by being more famous or successful. For example, in the 1980s, handsome young actor Eric Roberts seemed certain to become a big star.

Eric Roberts

However, he was soon eclipsed by his little sister…

Julia Roberts

If you want to check out Eric Roberts at his best, I recommend these movies:

Star 80 (1983)

The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984)

The Coca-Cola Kid (1985)

(Click on the titles to get more information about these movies in Japanese)