Which part of the shadow allows some light to be seen around its edge?

Which part of the shadow allows some light to be seen around its edge?

• A. Umbra
• B. Penumbra
• C. Shadow
• D. Antumbra

Answer: (B)

When the Sun’s light is blocked by the Moon, the shadow has regions with different amounts of light. The central area where the Sun is completely blocked is the dark core. Surrounding that, there’s a zone where only part of the Sun is blocked, so light still leaks in from the sides and you can see some light around the edge of the shadow. That partial shadow is called the penumbra. The outer region where the Sun is not fully blocked, leaving a bright ring around the occluder, is the antumbra. Since the question describes seeing light around the edge, it points to the penumbra.

When the Sun’s light is blocked by the Moon, the shadow has regions with different amounts of light. The central area where the Sun is completely blocked is the dark core. Surrounding that, there’s a zone where only part of the Sun is blocked, so light still leaks in from the sides and you can see some light around the edge of the shadow. That partial shadow is called the penumbra. The outer region where the Sun is not fully blocked, leaving a bright ring around the occluder, is the antumbra. Since the question describes seeing light around the edge, it points to the penumbra.