Eclipses

Eclipses

Solar Eclipse

A SOLAR ECLIPSE happens when the

 MOON casts a shadow on the EARTH.

This happens when the MOON moves BETWEEN the SUN and the EARTH

Solar Eclipse

A Solar Eclipse can only occur during the 

NEW Moon Phase.

The MOON is SMALLER than the EARTH so the shadow where you can see a total solar eclipse is only seen by people in a small area.

Multiple Choice

Why can a solar eclipse only happen during the new moon?

• Because the moon is closest to Earth during the new moon

• Because the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth

• Because the sun is at its brightest during the new moon

MODEL the Solar Eclipse

​Shine the Flashlight on the Earth and move the moon into a position to make a shadow on the Earth:

Draw

Draw the Moon as it appears in a SOLAR ECLIPSE in the picture to the left (and on your worksheet)

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best explains why we don't see solar eclipses often?

• The Moon's shadow is small

• The Sun is too far away

• The Moon is always in front of the Sun

When do Solar Eclipses occur?

Multiple Choice

Why don't eclipses happen every month, even though the Moon orbits the Earth every month.

• They don't happen when the moon is farther away

• The moon is on a tilted orbit

• They only happen in winter

​Lunar Eclipse

Lunar Eclipse

A LUNAR ECLIPSE happens when the

 EARTH casts a shadow on the MOON.

This happens when the EARTH moves BETWEEN the SUN and the MOON.

Fill in the Blanks

Lunar Eclipse

A Lunar Eclipse can only occur during the FULL Moon Phase.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes completely into the darkest part of Earth's shadow (called the UMBRA). A partial lunar eclipse happens when only a portion of the Moon enters the umbra, leaving the rest of the Moon visible in the Earth's fainter penumbra

MODEL the Lunar Eclipse

​Shine the Flashlight on the Earth and move the moon into a position to hide it in Earth's shadow:

Draw

Draw the Moon as it appears in a LUNAR ECLIPSE in the picture to the left (and on your worksheet)

Multiple Select

Select all the conditions that must be met for a lunar eclipse to occur.

• The Moon must be full

• The Sun, Earth, and Moon must be in a straight line

• The Moon must be between the Sun and Earth

When do Lunar Eclipses occur?

​They happen 2 to 5 times every year with a TOTAL Lunar Eclipse happening every 18 months (1.5 years).

During a Lunar Eclipse the Moon turns red because of Earthshine.

Multiple Choice

Which celestial body moves between the Sun and the Moon during a lunar eclipse?

• Earth

• Moon

• Sun

• Mars

Multiple Choice

What is a solar eclipse?

• When the Earth moves in between the Moon and the Sun and casts a shadow on the Moon.

• When the Moon moves in between the Sun and the Earth and casts a shadow on the Earth.

• When the Sun moves in between the Earth and the Moon and casts a shadow on the Moon.

Multiple Choice

What is a lunar eclipse?

• Earth moves in between the Moon and the Sun and casts a shadow on the Moon.

• Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth and casts a shadow on the Earth.

• Sun moves between the Earth and the Moon and casts a shadow on the Moon.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following moon phases could you see a solar eclipse?

• Full Moon

• New Moon

• First and Third Quarters

• Waxing Crescent

Multiple Choice

Which of the following moon phases could you see a Lunar eclipse?

• Full Moon

• New Moon

• First and Third Quarters

• Waxing Crescent