Eclipse Quiz

Which of the following best describes the main idea of the text?

• While partial eclipses of the sun can be dangerous, full eclipses of the sun are safe for people to view.

• Both solar and lunar eclipses are caused solely by the orbit of Earth around the sun and the spinning of Earth itself.

• People often damage their eyes when watching lunar eclipses because of the dangerous radiation from the moon.

• Both solar and lunar eclipses are caused by the movement of Earth and the moon, and can be viewed safely with protective gear.

Which of the following describes the main difference between a solar and lunar eclipse?

• how often the eclipses occur

• where you can see the eclipse from

• which heavenly body is casting the shadow

• how small or large the heavenly body appears

Which detail best supports the idea that studying eclipses is useful?

• "What people see from Earth during a partial lunar eclipse depends on how the sun, Earth and moon are lined up." (Paragraph 5)

• "People standing in the penumbra will see a partial eclipse. People standing in the umbra will see a total eclipse." (Paragraph 12)

• "During an annular eclipse, NASA uses ground and space instruments to view the corona when the moon blocks the sun's glare." (Paragraph 16)

• "Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature's most awe-inspiring sights — a total solar eclipse." (Paragraph 17)

What do the details in paragraph 12 explain about eclipses?

• why it is unsafe to look directly at the sun during an eclipse

• why it is safe to view lunar eclipses directly, but not solar eclipses

• why people see solar eclipses differently depending on their locations

• why it is possible to sometimes see a total lunar eclipse, but never a total solar eclipse

Which sentence best describes the author's point of view about eclipses?

• As solar eclipses become more common, studying them will become more popular.

• Lunar and solar eclipses are special events that should be observed, enjoyed, and studied.

• Although lunar eclipses are extremely rare, studying them remains important for scientists.

• Solar and lunar eclipses should be observed in the same way so people can compare them.

The definition of eclipse is:

• The planets line up
• The Sun, Earth and Mars line up
• The Sun, Earth and Moon line up
• The Earth, Moon and Venus line up 

We do NOT have a lunar eclipse each month because...

• The tilt of the moon's orbit is at 5 degrees

• The moon is too small

• The moon's orbital distance changes

• All choices

A ​ (a)   ​ (b)   eclipse occurs  when only part of the Sun’s surface is blocked by  the Moon.

• partial
• solar
• total
• lunar

What is a solar eclipse?

• The Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking all or part of the Sun's light.

• The Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.

• The Sun moves behind the Earth, casting Earth's shadow on the Moon.

• The Moon moves into Earth's shadow, causing the Moon to appear red.

What is the difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse?

• A solar eclipse occurs at night, while a lunar eclipse occurs during the day.

• A solar eclipse is when the Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, while a lunar eclipse is when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth.

• A solar eclipse is when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, while a lunar eclipse is when the Earth passes between the Sun and Moon.

• There is no difference; they are the same event.