Hi Rebecca,

Totality for a solar eclipse at any one locations just lasts for a few minutes, while totality for a lunar eclipse can last for over an hour.

During a lunar eclipse Earth casts a large shadow on the Moon and is actually cutting off light hitting the moon rather than blocking it from the observer. As a result, a lunar eclipse can be seen from anywhere the moon is visible for as long as it is occurring.

On the other hand, in a total solar eclipse the actual moon has to come between the Earth and Sun and be aligned just right, which only happens for a few minutes at amy one location.

Looking at sketches of the geometry might help. Here are some (none of them to scale!)

Here is an animation of how a solar eclipse works.
http://sunearthday.nasa.g...terials/ecl_anim.mov
And a sketch
http://www.total-eclipse-...eclipse/geometry.php
The location from which you can see the total solar eclipse is very specific and shifts quickly across the globe.

Here, on the other hand, is one of a lunar eclipse.
http://www.mreclipse.com/Special/image/LEDiagram1c.JPG
The shadow the the Earth on the moon is large and can be seen from a broad area.

cheers,

Terry