Eclipses

What is an eclipse? Occurs when one heavenly body moves into the shadow of another heavenly body Two types: lunar and solar

Lunar Eclipses Occurs when Earth moves between the sun and the moon Earth’s shadow falls on the moon’s surface Can occur only when the moon is full Total lunar eclipse - occurs when moon & sun are on the exact opposite sides of Earth Partial lunar eclipse - only a portion of the moon enters Earth’s shadow

Solar Eclipses The moon blocks the sun’s light from reaching Earth Total Solar Eclipse - sun moon and Earth must be in a direct line; sky becomes very dark like night Partial Solar Eclipse - sun moon and Earth are not completely lined up and there is a dark shadow on only parts of Earth’s surface Annular Solar Eclipse - moon is farthest position from Earth and thus only blocks part of the sun

Seasons

It’s All About Earth’s Tilt Earth is tilted 23.5 degrees on it’s axis June = Summer in Northern Hemisphere Sun shines directly on Northern Hemisphere making it summer December = Winter in Northern Hemisphere Sun shines indirectly on Northern hemisphere making it winter

Solar Energy Radiant energy emitted by the sun Amount of sunlight received in Northern Hemisphere is greatest during the summer months Why is it hotter in July than it is in January?

Lunar Phases

Why does the moon have phases? Even though the moon rotates, the same side of the moon always faces the Earth. The moon does not give off its own light. It is the sun reflecting off the surface of the moon that creates light. As the moon orbits Earth, its position in the sky changes which produces the different phases of the moon we see each month.

The Solar System The inner planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars – are all rocky The outer planets – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune – are all gas giants and have rings The following planets all have moons – Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune