Solar and Lunar Eclipses

What is an eclipse? The partial or total blocking of one object in the space by another is an Eclipse.

Is there more than 1 kind of eclipse? Yes!! There are lunar (Latin - moon) and solar (Latin - sun) eclipses. Lunar Eclipse - The blocking of sunlight to the moon that occurs when Earth is directly between the sun and the moon. Occurs at the Full Moon phase; the moon is closest to Earth’s shadow. Solar Eclipse- The blocking of sunlight to Earth that occurs when the moon is directly between the sun and Earth. Occurs at the new moon phase.

Umbra – The darkest part of a shadow. Penumbra – The part of a shadow surrounding the darkest part. The lighter part of the shadow.

Lunar Eclipses The Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the Sun’s light, and causing the moon to glow red. ization ization

Types of Lunar Eclipses Total Lunar Eclipse – The entire Moon passes through the umbra of Earth’s shadow, or total shadow of the Earth. Partial Lunar Eclipse – Part of the Moon passes through the umbra of Earth’s shadow. Penumbral Lunar Eclipse – The Moon only passes through the penumbra of Earth’s shadow, or partial shadow. They are barely visible.

Total Lunar Eclipse – When the Moon passes completely into the Umbra, or total shadow of the Earth.

Why is the moon red during a Total Lunar 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.

Partial Lunar Eclipse – Occur when the Moon does not fully move into the Umbra.

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse – When the moon passes only through the penumbra, or partial shadow. They are barely visible.

Solar Eclipse – The blocking of sunlight to Earth that occurs when the moon is directly between the sun and Earth. Occurs at the new moon phase.

Types of Solar Eclipses Total Solar Eclipse – Can only occur if you are at the exact spot within the moon’s umbra (which isn’t very big). Partial Solar Eclipse – Visible if you are in the penumbra of the shadow. Only some of the moon will be shadowed. Annular Solar Eclipse – Occurs when the moon is farthest from the Earth in its orbit. This makes the moon look smaller, so during the eclipse you see an outer ring of light from the Sun.

Total Solar Eclipse – It is safe to view the Sun, if you can see the corona. Otherwise DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY INTO A Solar Eclipse

Partial Solar Eclipse – not safe to look directly at Sun.

Annular Solar Eclipse – When the moon is too far to completely cover the sun completely—the umbra doesn’t reach the Earth. Sun appears as a ring around the moon.

How often do Eclipses Happen? That depends!! Lunar Eclipses happen more often than Solar Eclipses. Why? Well everyone who is experiencing night time during a lunar eclipse can see it. But you have to be at the exact spot on Earth to see a Solar Eclipse. The spot on Earth is so small, that the same place only sees a Solar Eclipse every 350 years!!

Why Don’t We See Lunar Eclipses More Often? Well, lunar eclipses don’t happen everyday because the Moon’s orbit is tilted. So, during most months, the Moon is above or below the Earth.

Closer Differentiate between a solar and lunar Eclipse.Differentiate between a solar and lunar eclipse. How are the earth, sun, and moon arranged during solar and lunar eclipses?

Name this phase! Full Moon What time does this phase rise and set?

Name these features. Craters Maria

Does this image show us the near side or far side of the moon? Far Side How can you tell?

Does this image show the near side or the far side of the moon? Near Side

Name this phase! Waning Gibbous

Name this phase! Third Quarter

From what direction does the moon rise? The East

Name this phase! Waxing Gibbous

Name this phase! Waning Crescent

What might be happening in this image? Lunar Eclipse

Name this phase! Look closely! Waxing Gibbous

True or False: The Far Side and the Dark Side of the moon are the same thing. False!

Name this phase! Full Moon

Name this phase! New Moon

Does the moon rise or set in the west? It sets in the west.

Name this phase! Waning Gibbous

Name this phase! Waning Crescent

Name this phase! Waning Gibbous