The total lunar eclipse isn't the only thing coming this month. A partial solar eclipse is set to appear in skies later in March.

A lunar eclipse is an alignment of the Earth, moon and sun where the moon passes through the Earth's shadow, or umbra. As it does, the moon will appear to darken and take on a crimson shade of red.

However, one key question forms the basis of the conversation: What's the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse? Here's everything you need to know about how the positions of Earth, the moon and the sun combine to create some of the sky's most spectacular events.