I understand there are normal phases where the moon is partially covered by the Earth’s shadow, how can it be completely covered one night and full the nights before and after? What happens during an eclipse where the moon can go through all the phases in a few hours, and then go back to full tonight and normal decreasing/increasing phases each night?
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>I understand there are normal phases where the moon is partially covered by the Earth’s shadow, how can it be completely covered one night and full the nights before and after? What happens during an eclipse where the moon can go through all the phases in a few hours, and then go back to full tonight and normal decreasing/increasing phases each night?
The phases of the moon have nothing to do with Earth’s shadow.
Shadows of astronomic objects on other astronomic objects are solely eclipse-business. Parts of the moon not being lit up by the sun during the phase cycle are **the moon’s own shadow**. The sun can only illuminate one side of it, after all. Your viewing angle determines how much of its illuminated side you see.
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