1. Phases of the Moon
What is this phase?
During what phases are the Moon, Earth and Sun aligned in a straight line?
What is this phase?

2. Eclipses Eclipses happen when:
The Moon’s shadow hits the Earth or Earth’s shadow hits the Moon.
An eclipse happens because either the Earth or the Moon is blocking the Sun, and it casts a shadow.
Eclipse = A shadow

3. Are all eclipses the same?
There are two kinds of eclipses:
Solar eclipses
Lunar eclipses
What does “solar” mean again?
A solar eclipse- The Sun is blocked (as seen from Earth).
What does “lunar” mean?
Lunar eclipse- The Moon is blocked
(as seen from Earth).
solar
lunar

4. What is a solar eclipse?
Solar eclipse (SME) - occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and Sun, blocking light from the Sun.
Sun
Moon

5. When the Moon is at its farthest point in orbit.
Annular Eclipse
When the Moon is at its farthest point in orbit.
The new moon will not cover the Sun completely.
This is when you can see a thin ring of light emerging from the outside rim of the new moon.
© KeslerScience.com

6. Solar eclipses happen during which phase?
Solar eclipses happen during the New Moon phase.

7. What is a lunar eclipse?
Lunar eclipse (SEM) - occurs when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon. The Moon is in the Earth’s shadow.
Moon
Earth’s
shadow

8. Lunar eclipses happen during which phase?
Lunar eclipses happen during the Full Moon phase.

9. Eclipses and Shadows
Umbra – Darkest part of the Moon’s or Earth’s shadow; cone shaped (Dark/sharp shadow).
A total lunar and solar eclipse occur when the Earth or Moon is in the umbra of the other solar system body.
Penumbra – Larger part of Moon’s/Earth’s shadow that is not as dark (Light/fuzzy shadow).
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when part of the Moon is in the umbra and part is in the penumbra of the Earth.
A partial solar eclipse occurs when Earth is in the Moon’s penumbra.
Partial= Penumbra.

10. Just like the Earth’s axis, the Moon’s orbit is tilted
Just like the Earth’s axis, the Moon’s orbit is tilted. Most times, the Moon is a little bit above or a little bit below the shadow. An eclipse can only occur when the Sun, the Earth and the Moon are directly aligned- in a straight line.

11. Partial and Total Solar Eclipses

12. Solar or Lunar Eclipse?
Solar
Lunar

13. Solar or Lunar Eclipse?
Solar
Lunar

14. Let’s model it!
In your table groups, you have 45 seconds to choose one person to be:
The Sun
The Moon
The Earth
The CEO (the CEO will organize the group and double check that everyone is where they should be.)
In groups of 3, the Sun will also be the CEO.

15. Not yet, but when I say go:
Arrange yourselves like a total solar eclipse.
Move to make yourselves a partial solar eclipse.
Arrange yourselves like a total lunar eclipse.