Eclipses Lesson

Eclipses

Exploring the mysteries of celestial phenomena

A lunar eclipse is when the Earth comes between the Sun and moon, blocking the sunlight from reaching the moon.

A solar eclipse is when the moon comes between the Earth and Sun, blocking out the sunlight on a small part of Earth.

Solar Eclipse

​Lunar Eclipse

The moon blocks the sun, revealing only its corona.This occurs during a New Moon Phase, when the moon is in the 'New Moon' position, between the Earth and Sun.

Earth's shadow covers the moon, giving it a reddish hue, similar to a sunset. This occurs during a Full Moon Phase, when the moon is a Full Moon, directly behind the Earth.

​Solar Eclipse

​The moon blocks the sun, casting a small shadow onto Earth

Reorder

What order must these be in for a solar eclipse to occur? (start with Earth)

• Earth

• Moon

• Sun

1

2

3

• 1
• 2
• 3

Draw

Draw the order of the Sun, Earth, and moon during a solar eclipse.

​The Moon's Orbit

The moon orbits at an angle, so it does not pass between the Earth and sun each month. When it does, however, it causes an eclipse!
(It also has an elliptical orbit!)

This is the lighter edges of the shadow. It is less dark.

Penumbra

This is the darkest part,
in the very center of the shadow.

​Umbra

Types of Shadows

Visibility

Not everyone can see every solar eclipse -
only those who are under the shadow.

​Map of Projected Solar Eclipses

​The next solar eclipse!

It will be visible from parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, as well as the tip of Canada.

Multiple Choice

When is the next total solar eclipse?

• October 14, 2023

• April 8, 2024

• November 9, 2025

• December 25, 2077

Did you know...

Solar eclipses occur approximately once every 18 months.
(that's roughly every year and a half)













This rare celestial event captivates people around the world, offering a unique opportunity to witness the beauty and wonder of our universe.

Multiple Choice

How often do solar eclipses occur?

• Once every 6 months

• Once every 12 months

• Once every 18 months

• Once every 24 months

Solar vs. Lunar

• Solar Eclipses: the moon's shadow falls on a small portion of Earth's sunny side. Occurs when the moon, sun, and Earth align - only during a New Moon)

  
  
  

• Lunar Eclipses: Earth blocks the sun's light from reaching the moon, causing it to appear reddish
  (only occurs during a Full Moon)

Multiple Choice

What occurs when the moon blocks the light from the sun, casting a shadow onto the Earth?

• solar eclipse

• lunar eclipse

​Lunar Eclipse

​The Earth blocks the sunlight from hitting the moon,
casting the moon into shadow (and turning it red)

Draw

Draw the order of the Earth, Sun, and Moon during a lunar eclipse!

Reorder

What order must these be in for a lunar eclipse to occur? (start with the Sun)

• Sun

• Earth

• Moon

1

2

3

• 1
• 2
• 3

Why does the moon turn red?

Trivia: During a lunar eclipse, the moon appears to fade away because Earth blocks the sun's light from reaching the moon. The bending of the remaining sunlight through Earth's atmosphere also contributes to the moon's reddish hue during a lunar eclipse. This is similar to a sunset.

Multiple Choice

What causes the moon to turn red during a lunar eclipse?

• The moon's shadow falling on Earth's sunny side

• The bending of sunlight through Earth's atmosphere

• The moon blocking the sun's light from reaching the Earth

Lunar Eclipse Trivia

Did you know:

Lunar eclipses do not
occur every month
because the moon's
orbit around Earth is tilted.


This means that most of the time, the moon is either above or below Earth's shadow. Only when the moon aligns perfectly with Earth and the sun do we get an eclipse!

Multiple Choice

Why don't we have a lunar eclipse every month?

• Because the moon's orbit around Earth is tilted

• Because the Earth is not always between the sun and moon

• Because the moon's orbit around Earth is circular

• Because the moon is not always in the Earth's shadow

Eclipses: Review

• Umbra vs Penumbra: The umbra is the darker part of the shadow during an eclipse, the penumbra is lighter.

  Eclipse Frequency:

  • Solar eclipses occur roughly every 18 months.

  • Lunar eclipses occur about 3 times a year.
    
    

  Total Solar Eclipse: To experience a total solar eclipse, you must be under the darkest part of the shadow - the umbra.

Multiple Choice

Which part of the shadow is the darkest during an eclipse?

• Umbra

• Penumbra

Multiple Choice

Which part of the shadow must you be under to experience a total solar eclipse?

• Umbra

• Penumbra

Poll

Do you feel like you understand eclipses?

• Yes

• No

• Mostly

• A little bit