Eclipse

Bell-ringer (write in your science journal)

Have you ever seen an eclipse, either in person or on video? What do you think causes an eclipse?

What causes an eclipse?

Vid: Solar Eclipseask students, based on what they just learned about solar eclipses, what they think a lunar eclipse might be, and what might cause one.

Essential Questions

•What happens during a lunar eclipse? •What happens during a solar eclipse?

In your science journals, propose answers to these essential questions

Then read “Viewing an Eclipse”

The eclipses listed as “upcoming” in the passage did happen on those dates.

Solar LunarNov. 3, 2013 Oct 18, 2013Apr. 29, 2014 Apr. 15, 2014Mar 20, 2015 Oct 8, 2014Mar 9, 2016 Apr 4, 2015Feb 26, 2017 Sep 28, 2015Aug 21, 2017 Mar 23, 2016Jul 2, 2019 Sep 16, 2016

Upcoming eclipses Red indicates a total eclipse

Watch the following videos and fill in the two column notes

Types of Solar Eclipses

Features of Each Type of Solar Eclipse

Vid: Viewing a Total Solar Eclipse

Vid: A Total Eclipse of The Sun

Vid: Observing the Sun’s Corona

Watch the following video and list the causes and features of a lunar eclipseVid: Hey, Your Blocking My Light

Complete the Exploration: Solar Eclipse

So, Let’s see what you have learned from the exploration…• What causes each of the eclipses?• Why did they appear different from

different areas on Earth?

Hands on Activity: Solar and Lunar Eclipses• Materials for each group:

1. Globe or large Styrofoam ball to represent the Earth2. Small (about one inch) Styrofoam ball on a stick or toothpick to represent

the Moon3. Unshaded lamp to represent the Sun

• Model each type of eclipse, then diagram and label the arrangement of the Earth, Sun, and Moon that creates it.

• In addition, sketch the appearance of the Sun and/or Moon as it would appear to an observer on Earth who is watching the eclipse.

Read - Eclipses: Fascination Throughout History

• Why do you think scientists are so interested to study eclipses?

• What do scientists think we can learn from eclipses?

Review

Review: Vocabulary

Term Meaningannular eclipse Moon is too far away from Earth to completely

cover the sun

corona The sun’s atmosphere

penumbra The shadow of a partial eclipse

umbra The shadow of a total eclipse

total eclipse The sun (or moon) is completely covered by the moon’s (or Earth’s) shadow

partial eclipse Sun (or moon) is partially covered by the moon’s (or Earth’s) shadow

totality The time that the sun (or moon) is completely covered by the moon’s (or Earth’s) shadow

Vid: Eclipses and Conclusion

Review: Solar Eclipses

Type of Eclipse CharacteristicsTotal Eclipse Sun is completely blocked by the

moon, you can see the sun's atmosphere (corona), becomes dark like night, lasts no more than about 7 1/2 minutes

Partial Eclipse Some of the sun is blocked by the moon.

Annular Eclipse The moon is too far away and cannot cover the sun completely

Review: Solar Eclipses

Review: Lunar Eclipse

What type of eclipse is this

What type of eclipse is this?

Review: Solar Eclipses (view from Earth)

Review: What Happens During a Lunar Eclipse?

Answer: When the Earth is directly between the Sun and the Moon, it casts a shadow on the moon, which is seen from the Earth as a lunar eclipse.

Review: What Happens During a Solar Eclipse?

Answer: When the moon is directly between the Earth and the Sun, it casts a shadow on the Earth, and blocks our view of the sun. If this happens when the moon is close enough to the Earth, part of the Earth will pass through the full shadow of the moon, its umbra. This causes a total eclipse, during which the Sun is entirely blocked by the moon, and only its corona is visible. If the moon is further away, the Earth will not pass through the umbra, but instead through the area just beyond the reach of the umbra, the antumbra. This causes an annular eclipse, where the outer portion of the sun is still visible while the inner part is blocked by the moon. On parts of the Earth in the outer part of the shadow cast by the moon, the penumbra, only part of the sun will be blocked by the moon, forming a crescent sun. This is a partial eclipse.

Review: Assessment

• In your Student Center complete the following:Student Self AssessmentBrief Constructed Response (BCR): Eclipses

Additional Teacher Resources

Bell-ringer

Imagine living 2,000 years ago when people did not understand what caused an eclipse and in the middle of a cloudless day it starts to get dark, then the sun disappears and a “halo” of light appears around where the sun is suppose to be. In your science journal write a paragraph describing what people thousands of years ago must have thought when a solar eclipse occurred.

Bell-ringer

Do you think it is more or less likely to see a lunar eclipse than a solar eclipse? Explain your reasoning.

Bell-ringer

Can an eclipse occur in other parts of the solar system or is it unique to the Earth? Explain your answer.

Exploration: Eclipses

• During a solar eclipse, most of the sunlight is blocked by the Moon’s shadow. Then why do you need to use protective eye gear to watch a solar eclipse?

• Why doesn't the moon disappear during a lunar eclipse?

• What do you think causes the moon to turn dark red during a lunar eclipse?

Complete the Exploration: Solar Eclipse