As I understand it, a lunar eclipse and the normal phases of the moon are both a result of the earth's shadow on the moon. Since a lunar eclipse obviously occurs more quickly, what is happening that causes the difference between these two events?

MIKE MOSS SAYS:     Mark,     Only the lunar eclipse is associated with the Earth's shadow. The phases of the moon are a matter of perspective based on the ever-changing viewing angle between an observer on earth, the moon and the sun. For more on this, see our Carolina Skies section, where this particular issue was addressed in a recent blog post, located at

http://www.wral.com/weather/blogpost/1799018/