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.
SOLAR & LUNAR ECLIPSES Lesson 6!
Solar Eclipses
During a new moon, the moon is sometimes exactly between Earth and the _________________.
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 ______________, 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 ___________________!
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 _______________________!
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 ___________.
An Eclipse of the Moon!
 Lunar Eclipses
 Lunar eclipses ONLY occur during full moons.
 Earth blocks _________________________________ 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 ________________________________ 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?