Solar Eclipse 3D Explorer vs Lunar Eclipse y Moon Phases 3D
Learning solar eclipse shadow cones takes one page load in the Solar Eclipse 3D Explorer - 0 MB installed, USD 0, no account. The Lunar Eclipse 3D Explorer shows Earth's shadow on the Moon at full moon with Danjon totality color. The Moon Phases 3D Explorer scrubs a synodic month and shows everyday phase geometry but does not add eclipse shadow cones.
The numbers side by side
| Aspect | Solar Eclipse | Lunar Eclipse | Moon Phases 3D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install size | 0 MB - runs in the browser | 0 MB - runs in the browser | 0 MB - runs in the browser |
| Time to first view | Seconds - one page load | Seconds - one page load | Seconds - one page load |
| Price | USD 0 | USD 0 | USD 0 |
| Works on a phone | Yes - Moon shadow on Earth | Yes - Earth shadow on Moon | Yes - phase geometry scene |
Where Solar Eclipse wins
Where Solar Eclipse wins: Everything runs locally with WebGL. For teaching the Moon's penumbra and umbra cones on Earth, the totality path, and published figures - Sun 0.53 deg versus Moon 0.52 deg, umbra 100 to 270 km wide, Saros 18 years 11 days - it is the focused route. The progress slider and totality path toggle sit on one solar eclipse lesson; Lunar Eclipse keeps Earth's shadow on the Moon and Danjon L0-L4 color.
Where Lunar Eclipse wins
Lunar Eclipse 3D Explorer wins when you need Earth's penumbra and umbra dimming the full Moon at full moon - the opposite geometry from a solar eclipse. It adds Danjon L0-L4 totality color and maximum totality up to 107 minutes but does not show the Moon's umbra track on Earth.
Where Moon Phases 3D wins
Moon Phases 3D Explorer wins when you need everyday phase names across a 29.53-day synodic month - new moon through full moon and back - driven by the Sun-Earth-Moon angle. It does not add eclipse shadow cones or a totality path on Earth.
A reasonable rule
Use Solar Eclipse for the Moon's shadow on Earth and totality path literacy in under a minute; use Lunar Eclipse for Earth's shadow on the Moon and Danjon totality color; use Moon Phases 3D for the synodic month and everyday phases; use an almanac or planetarium app for the date of the next real eclipse. The NASA figures in the panel - 0.53 deg Sun, 0.52 deg Moon, umbra 100 to 270 km, Saros 18 years 11 days - stay accurate either way.
See when to use Solar Eclipse 3D Explorer for session fit.
freetoolonline.com editorial team