Lunar and Solar and Eclipses This powerpoint compiled by the Education Staff at the Lunar and Planetary Institute www.lpi.usra.edu Image from http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/gallery/Earth_Moon.jpg Image from http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/gallery/Earth_Moon.jpgEight days after its final encounter with the Earth, the Galileo spacecraft looked back and captured this remarkable view of the Earth and Moon. The image was taken from a distance of about 6.2 million km (3.9 million miles). The picture was made with images taken through the violet, red, and 1.0-micron infrared filters. The Moon is in the foreground, moving from left to right. The brightly-colored Earth contrasts strongly with the Moon, which reflects only about one-third as much sunlight as the Earth. Contrast and color have been computer-enhanced for both objects to improve visibility. Antarctica is visible through clouds (bottom). The Moon's far side is seen; the shadowy indentation in the dawn terminator is the south pole Aitken Basin, one of the largest and oldest lunar impact features. http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/gallery/Earth_Moon.jpg

Eclipses The Sun and Moon occasionally line up so that we have an eclipse. These eclipses happen every year To see a solar eclipse, you need to be on a particular part of the Earth Only after phases have been mastered should you try to teach the reason for eclipses; otherwise, students will often assume that the reason for the Moon’s phases is the Earth’s shadow. To understand why we have eclipses, we use the golfballs and blacklights, along with an embroidery hoop to model out the changing intersection of the Moon’s orbit with the ecliptic, as the Earth goes around the Sun.

When the Earth’s shadow covers the Moon, we have a lunar eclipse http://www.mreclipse.com/Special/LEprimer.html Additional details are at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_eclipse When the Earth’s shadow covers the Moon, we have a lunar eclipse

Three types of Lunar Eclipses Penumbral lunar eclipse—the Moon only passes through the penumbra of Earth’s shadow Partial lunar eclipse—part of the Moon passes through the umbra of Earth’s shadow Total lunar eclipse—the entire Moon passes through the umbra of Earth’s shadow Who on Earth will be able to see a lunar eclipse? Anyone who can see the Moon (anyone who is on the nighttime side of the Earth during the eclipse)

Images from Fred Espanak and may be found at http://www.mreclipse.com/LEphoto/LEgallery1/LEgallery1.html Images from Fred Espenak http://www.mreclipse.com/LEphoto/LEgallery1/LEgallery1.html

Why is the Moon red during an eclipse? The Earth’s atmosphere filters some sunlight and allows it to reach the Moon’s surface The blue light is removed—scattered down to make a blue sky over those in daytime Remaining light is red or orange Some of this remaining light is bent or refracted so that a small fraction of it reaches the Moon Exact appearance depends on dust and clouds in the Earth’s atmosphere

Solar Eclipses When the Moon’s shadow covers part of the Earth Only happens at New Moon Three types: Annular, Partial, and Total Diagram from Fred Espenak, may be found along with lots of good information at http://www.mreclipse.com/Special/SEprimer.html

Total Solar Eclipse Observers in the “umbra” shadow see a total eclipse (safe to view the Sun); can see the corona Those in “penumbra” see a partial eclipse—not safe to look directly at Sun Only lasts a few minutes Path of Totality about 10,000 miles long, only 100 miles wide Diagram by Fred Espenak and more information may be found at www.MrEclipse.com

Photo of a Total Eclipse From http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2006/multimedia/gal_008.php http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2006/multimedia/gal_008.php

Annular Solar Eclipse When the Moon is too far to completely cover the Sun—the umbra doesn’t reach the Earth Sun appears as a donut around the Moon Diagram from Fred Espenak, may be found along with information at http://www.mreclipse.com/Special/SEprimer.html

Photos of an Annular Eclipse From http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2006/multimedia/gal_010.php; photos taken by Fred Espenak http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2006/multimedia/gal_010.php; photos taken by Fred Espenak

Upcoming Solar Eclipses Next Total Solar Eclipse in continental USA—August 21, 2017 Information at http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/solar.html