Understanding Solar Eclipses

What is a solar eclipse?

• When the Sun passes between the Earth and the Moon

• When the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth

• When the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon

• When the Earth and Moon are on opposite sides of the Sun

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is the umbra?

• The area where no eclipse is visible

• The dark inner shadow during an eclipse

• The path of the eclipse across Earth

• The lighter outer shadow during an eclipse

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Why don't solar eclipses occur every month?

• The Earth's orbit is perfectly circular

• The Sun's orbit is elliptical

• The Moon's orbit is tilted relative to the ecliptic plane

• The Moon is always in the Earth's shadow

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is the path of totality?

• The path traced by the Moon's orbit

• The path traced by the antumbra

• The path traced by the umbra

• The path traced by the penumbra

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is an annular solar eclipse?

• When a ring of sunlight is visible around the Moon

• When the Moon completely covers the Sun

• When the Moon partially covers the Sun

• When the Sun is completely visible

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What causes a hybrid solar eclipse?

• The Earth's surface curves away from the umbra

• The Moon's shadow is too high above Earth

• The Sun's size changes dramatically

• The Moon's orbit is perfectly circular

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is the penumbra?

• The dark inner shadow during an eclipse

• The lighter outer shadow during an eclipse

• The path of totality

• The area where the eclipse is total

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

During which phase of the Moon do solar eclipses occur?

• New Moon

• Last Quarter

• Full Moon

• First Quarter

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is the antumbra?

• The path of totality

• The part of the shadow beyond the umbra

• The lighter outer shadow during an eclipse

• The area where no eclipse is visible

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is a partial solar eclipse?

• When the Sun is completely visible

• When the Moon partially covers the Sun

• When the Moon completely covers the Sun

• When the Moon is completely visible

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1