Which of the following statements i s/are correct? 1. Lunar eclipse takes place when the Earth comes directly between the Sun and the Moon. 2. Solar eclipse happens when the Moon comes directly between the Sun and the Earth. 3. Lunar eclipse takes place when the Sun comes directly between the Earth and the Moon. 4. Solar eclipse happens when the Earth comes directly between the Sun and the Moon. Select the correct answer using the code given below : Code:

An eclipse occurs when one celestial body moves into the shadow of another. A lunar eclipse takes place when the Earth comes directly between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth's shadow to fall on the Moon [c2][t6]. This phenomenon can only occur during a full moon phase [c1][c5]. Conversely, a solar eclipse happens when the Moon comes directly between the Sun and the Earth, casting the Moon's shadow onto the Earth's surface [t1][t5]. This alignment occurs only during a new moon phase [c1][t5]. Statements 3 and 4 are incorrect because the Sun never comes between the Earth and the Moon, and the Earth being between the Sun and Moon defines a lunar, not solar, eclipse. Therefore, only statements 1 and 2 are scientifically accurate descriptions of these astronomical alignments [t4][t6].

Sources

1. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 19: The Motions of The Earth and Their Effects > 19.3. Eclipse > p. 257
2. [2] Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 12: Earth, Moon, and the Sun > 12.3.2 Lunar eclipse > p. 182
3. [3] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Keeping Time with the Skies > A step further > p. 177
4. [4] https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/eclipses/
5. [5] https://www.weather.gov/fsd/suneclipse
6. [6] https://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/mini-lessonactivity/what-difference-between-solar-eclipse-and-lunar-eclipse