The dark central area of a shadow cast by the Earth or the Moon is called the umbra. In an eclipse, the umbra is the region where the light source is completely obscured by the occluding body. For example, during a solar eclipse, the area within the umbra experiences totality, where the Sun is completely blocked by the Moon.
The dark central area of a shadow cast by the Earth or the moon.
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The lighter outside area of a shadow cast by the Earth or the moon.
The lighter outside area of a shadow cast by the Earth or the Moon is called the penumbra. In an eclipse, the penumbra is the region where the light source is only partially obscured by the occluding body. For example, during a solar eclipse, areas within the penumbra experience a partial eclipse, where only a portion of the Sun is blocked by the Moon.