Lunar Eclipse 3D Explorer vs Moon Phases 3D e Solar Eclipse
Learning lunar eclipse shadow cones takes one page load in the Lunar Eclipse 3D Explorer - 0 MB installed, USD 0, no account. The Moon Phases 3D Explorer scrubs a synodic month and shows everyday phase geometry but does not add Earth's shadow cones. A Solar Eclipse 3D Explorer for the Moon's umbra on Earth is planned as a separate page and is not shipped yet.
The numbers side by side
| Aspect | Lunar Eclipse | Moon Phases 3D | Solar Eclipse (planned) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install size | 0 MB - runs in the browser | 0 MB - runs in the browser | Not shipped yet |
| Time to first view | Seconds - one page load | Seconds - one page load | Planned |
| Price | USD 0 | USD 0 | Planned |
| Works on a phone | Yes - shadow-cone scene | Yes - phase geometry scene | Planned |
Where Lunar Eclipse wins
Everything runs locally with WebGL. For teaching Earth's penumbra and umbra cones, Danjon totality color, and published figures - maximum totality up to 107 minutes, node alignment required - it is the focused route. The progress slider and Danjon L0-L4 buttons sit on one eclipse lesson; Moon Phases 3D keeps the synodic month and everyday lit hemisphere.
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 shadow cones or Danjon totality color.
Where Solar Eclipse will fit
A future Solar Eclipse 3D Explorer will show the Moon's shadow falling on Earth at new moon - the opposite geometry from a lunar eclipse. Until that page ships, use Lunar Eclipse for Earth's shadow on the Moon and Moon Phases 3D for phase geometry literacy.
A reasonable rule
Use Lunar Eclipse for shadow-cone and Danjon totality literacy in under a minute; use Moon Phases 3D for the synodic month and everyday phases; watch for the planned Solar Eclipse page for the Moon's umbra on Earth; use an almanac or planetarium app for the date of the next real eclipse. The NASA figures in the panel - up to 107 minutes totality, Danjon L0-L4, node alignment - stay accurate either way.
See when to use Lunar Eclipse 3D Explorer for session fit.
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