If you're serious about trying to understand it, try this: Get a directional lamp (one of those gooseneck things is perfect), some sort of wall hanging (a picture will do) and you. The experiment is best conducted in a small room.
Phase A:
1. Turn on the lamp.
2. Point the lamp at the picture.
3. Stand directly between the lamp and the picture. That's an eclipse.
Phase B:
1. Turn on the lamp.
2. Point the lamp anywhere but at the picture.
3. Stand wherever you like. This is what is known as 'not an eclipse'.
Phase C (requires additional equipment):
1. Turn on the lamp.
2. Point the lamp away from the picture.
3. Turn on the dozen 40 million candlepower arc lamps you purchased in preparation for the experiment.
4. Try to see the picture. This is why it is all but impossible to see the new moon during daylight hours.
Hope this helps.
Boru
Phase A:
1. Turn on the lamp.
2. Point the lamp at the picture.
3. Stand directly between the lamp and the picture. That's an eclipse.
Phase B:
1. Turn on the lamp.
2. Point the lamp anywhere but at the picture.
3. Stand wherever you like. This is what is known as 'not an eclipse'.
Phase C (requires additional equipment):
1. Turn on the lamp.
2. Point the lamp away from the picture.
3. Turn on the dozen 40 million candlepower arc lamps you purchased in preparation for the experiment.
4. Try to see the picture. This is why it is all but impossible to see the new moon during daylight hours.
Hope this helps.
Boru
‘But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods or no gods. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.’ - Thomas Jefferson