and eclipses of the stars as well—indeed, any event occurring at a particular degree of the celestial sphere. For every degree of that sphere rises in the east before it rises in the west. Thus, when an unusual event occurs there, such as a solar or lunar eclipse, a conjunction, or the like, its time of occurrence, whether by night or by day, is earlier in the east than in the west. For example, it may occur early in the day for one group and late in the day for another, or early in the night for one group and late in the night for another. Such an event serves the same purpose as a lunar eclipse.

The point can also be established through other well-known evidence. He has not, however, presented the argument fully or made it clear; rather, his discussion is that of a beginner. The extent of the eclipse visible to people in the east need not be the same as that visible to people in the west, such that one could say that people in the east and west see the eclipse at the same hour, with the beginning of the night for one group coinciding with the end of the night for the other. Rather, the moon may be eclipsed for some people but not others. For some, the eclipse may be total, encompassing the entire moon, while for others it may be partial, affecting only part of it.

Nevertheless, when people in the east and west share in observing it, they share in its two extremities. For an eclipse of the moon begins on its eastern side, whereas an eclipse of the sun begins on its western side. When the lunar eclipse begins on its eastern side, the moon is not eclipsed