Solar Eclipse Questions

What is a solar eclipse?

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Why are solar eclipses rare?

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In this model, where you stand represents the position of Earth. Your open eye represents the position of an observer on Earth. What do you notice?

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Hold the paper Moon in front of your open eye with your arm straight out in front of you and your elbow locked. What do you notice?

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If the Sun is not eclipsed by the Moon, carefully back away until your moon just barely covers the entire disk of the Sun. When you find the distance where the moon perfectly eclipses the Sun, you will have modeled a total solar eclipse! What do you notice?

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Now that you’ve found the perfect location to create a total solar eclipse, try making slight adjustments to the position of your paper moon. What happens when the moon is slightly higher in the sky?

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What happens when the moon is slightly lower in the sky?

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What happens if the moon is slightly farther away from Earth? Without moving your own position, see what happens when another person moves the moon a bit closer to the Sun, increasing the distance between the Earth and the moon.

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On the bottom of this page are different types of solar eclipses. When the Moon is farther away, what type of solar eclipse would you observe?

When the Moon is at a higher angle, what type of solar eclipse would you observe?