Solar & Lunar Eclipses

Objective: To learn the difference between a solar & lunar eclipse, & what causes them.

What does just the word “Eclipse” Mean?

“Eclipse”: Means to “Block Out”. Moon

“Lunar”: Means Moon

Color & label diagram Sun E

Add these lines. Sun E

Color & label shadow Umbra:Black Shadow Sun E

Why is the Umbra black? ?

Because No light rays pass thru it!

Now add these lines. Umbra:Black Shadow Sun E

Label the penumbra. Sun E Penumbra: Grey Shadow

Why is the penumbra gray?

Because some light passes thru it!

Add these lines Sun E Penumbra: Grey Shadow

Now add orbit circle! Sun E

Label Full Moon Umbra Sun E Penumbra Full Moon

Label Partial Eclipse Umbra Sun E Partial Eclipse Full Moon

Label Total Eclipse Umbra Total Eclipse Sun E Partial Ecl. Full Moon

Label Total Eclipse Sun E Full Moon Full Moon Umbra Total Eclipse Partial Ecl. Full Moon

Explain at the bottom Sun E Full Moon Umbra Total Eclipse Partial Ecl. Explain: This is where the moon passes between the sun & the earth to block the moon.

One of these lasts about 90 minutes. They occur 2-5 times a year One of these lasts about 90 minutes. They occur 2-5 times a year. The correct order they line up is: Sun, Earth Moon.

Why do they occur 2-5 times a year and not every month?

Because the Earth & Sun are in 1 orbit plane, & the Earth & Moon are in a different orbit plane. See diagram

Note that because of the orbit angle the moon is above or below the Earth. Sun E

What kind of Eclipse is this (Total?Partial?)

What kind of Eclipse is this (Total?Partial?)

Here is a Lunar Eclipse sequence:

Here is a Lunar Eclipse sequence:

Here is another Lunar Eclipse sequence:

Here is what the Total Lunar Eclipse looks like.

Here is another Lunar Eclipse sequence:

What kind of Eclipse is this?

Eclipses Simulation Eclipses Simulation lunar

What does the word “Solar” Mean?

It means Sun. In a Solar Eclipse the moon blocks out the Sun.

Color & label diagram Sun E

Draw in these lines. Sun E

Label the Umbra. Umbra: Black Shadow Sun E

Draw in these lines. Sun E

Label the Penumbra. Sun E Penumbra: Gray Shadow

Draw in the orbit circle Total Eclipse Sun

Label the Eclipses Total Eclipse Sun Partial Eclipse

Explain at the bottom. Sun Umbra Total Eclipse Sun Partial Eclipse Penumbra Explain:This is where the moon passes between the Sun & Earth.

Here is what a Solar Eclipse looks like:

What part of the Sun is visible around the edges of the moon?

You see the Corona poke out around the moon’s edges.

You are seeing the “Dark side of the Moon”

One of these lasts about 3-4 minutes & they occur 0-3 times a year One of these lasts about 3-4 minutes & they occur 0-3 times a year. The correct order they line up is: Sun, Moon, Earth.

What kind of eclipse is this?

What kind of eclipse is this?(Hint: Sucker ?)

What kind of eclipse is this?

What kind of eclipse is this?

What kind of Eclipse is this?

Simulation of Solar Eclipse Eclipses Simulation Solar Eclipse Movie

1. Which of the following is the correct order for the sun, the moon, and the earth to line up to form a solar eclipse?

Sun, moon, earth? This is not a choice, but the reverse is the same thing. Therefore the answer is D. Earth, Moon, Sun.

2. Which of the following is the correct order for the sun, the moon, and earth to line up to form a Lunar Eclipse?

Sun, Earth, Moon? Which is not a choice, but the reverse is the same thing, therefore the answer is B. Moon, Earth, Sun.

3. What is the gray shadow called?

3. Why is it gray and not black? Penumbra 3. Why is it gray and not black?

Because some light passes thru it. Sun E Penumbra: Grey Shadow

4. What is the black shadow called?

4. Why is it black & not gray? Umbra! 4. Why is it black & not gray?

Because “no” light passes though it. Umbra:Black Shadow Sun E

5. What phase is the moon in when it first enters the black part of the shadow during a lunar eclipse?

It is in the Full Moon Phase. Umbra Total Eclipse Sun E Partial Ecl. Full Moon

6. What type of eclipse is it when the moon first enters the black part of the shadow during a lunar eclipse?

It is a Total Eclipse. Sun E Full Moon Umbra Total Eclipse Partial Ecl. Full Moon

7. Where does the moon have to be in order for there to be a “total” lunar eclipse? (Explain)

In the umbra (black shadow). Total Eclipse Sun E Partial Ecl. Full Moon

8. Why don’t we see any solar eclipse here in Mesa when the news reports that there are to be 3 during the year?

8. Because the shadow is so small, it doesn’t cover the whole earth or cross Mesa, Az. each time the shadow passes over the earth.

Mesa

Note that because of the orbit angle the moon is above or below the Earth, we only see a solar eclipse 0-3 times a year. Sun E

9. Why is it said not to look at the sun during a solar eclipse?

9. Because the sun gives off Ultraviolet Rays, & you could go blind as a result.

9. What part of the sun do we see?

9. The corona!

10. Why can’t you see the sun during a lunar eclipse?

10. Because the sun is on the front side of the earth where it is day time, & we are looking out the back side of the earth at night.

We are looking out the night time side of the earth, so we don’t see the sun. Day Night

11. What phase is the moon in during a solar eclipse?

In the New Moon Phase Total Eclipse Sun Partial Eclipse

12. Do we see the dark or the sunlit side of the moon during a solar eclipse?

12. The Dark side.

13. Why does a lunar eclipse last so much longer than a solar eclipse?

13. Because the moon is smaller, & it moves slower.

14. Why is it we could have two lunar eclipses some years and yet others have as many as five?

14. Because the earth & moon are in a different orbit plane than the earth and sun. They moon isn’t blocked each pass.

Note that because of the orbit angle the moon is above or below the Earth, we only see the eclipse 2-5 times a year. Sun E