Do Now – Thursday, November 13
Which picture is a Solar Eclipse, and which picture is a
Lunar Eclipse. Explain how you know for each one.
A.
B.
SOLAR & LUNAR ECLIPSES
Lesson 6!
Solar Eclipses
• During a new moon, the moon is sometimes exactly
between Earth and the sun.
• Most months, the moon travels a little above or
below the sun in the sky.
Solar Eclipses
• Solar Eclipse – occurs when the moon passes
between Earth and the sun, blocking sunlight from
reaching the Earth. An Eclipse of the Sun!
– The moon’s shadow hits the Earth.
– A solar eclipse is really just the moon blocking our
view of the sun!
Total Solar Eclipses
• The darkest part of the moon’s shadow is called the
umbra, which is cone-shaped.
– Light here is completely blocked from the sun!
– The point of the umbra cone can only reach part of the
Earth.
– Only people within the umbra experience a Total Solar
Eclipse.
Partial Solar Eclipse
• The moon also casts a larger shadow that is less
dark than the umbra.
• This larger shadow – the penumbra – still allows
some sunlight through.
• People under the penumbra shadow see a Partial
Solar Eclipse
Checkpoint!!
What is the difference
between the moon’s
umbra and penumbra?
Lunar Eclipses
• During most months, the moon goes near the
Earth’s shadow but not quite into it.
• A Lunar Eclipse occurs at a full moon when Earth
is directly between the moon and the sun. An
Eclipse of the Moon!
Lunar Eclipses
• Lunar eclipses ONLY
occur during full
moons.
• Earth blocks sunlight
from reaching the
moon and looks dark
from Earth.
Total Lunar Eclipses
• Like the moon’s shadow, Earth’s shadow has an
umbra and a penumbra.
• When the moon is in the Earth’s umbra, you see a
Total Lunar Eclipse.
• Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses can be seen
anywhere on Earth the moon is visible = much easier
to see!
Partial Lunar Eclipse
• Occurs when Earth, the moon, and the sun are
not quite in line.
• The moon passes partly into the umbra of the
Earth’s shadow, but not entirely.
• Can be seen for up
to 2 or 3 hours!
Checkpoints!!
1. Explain the difference between and Solar
and Lunar Eclipse.
2. What is the difference between an umbra
and penumbra?
3. Why do lunar eclipses occur only during full
moons?