Lunar And Solar Eclipses Flashcards
When does a Solar Eclipse occur?
A Solar Eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, the moon’s shadow falls on the Earth. This can only happen during the day and when there is a new moon.
When does a Lunar Eclipse happen?
A Lunar Eclipse occurs when the moon passes into the Earth’s shadow. This can only happen during a full moon.
Draw and label total lunar and partial lunar eclipse. Draw total and partial solar eclipse.
Drawing needed
What is a Partial Solar Eclipse?
A partial solar eclipse is when not enough of the sun is blocked out to cause darkness.
What is an Annular eclipse?
An annular eclipse is when the moon blocks out the central part of the sun leaving an annulus.
What is an annulus?
A ring of light.
Why must you never look directly at an eclipse of the sun?
You should never look at a eclipse of the sun because you can damage your eyes permanently. ( eclipse blindness ).
What are the differences of a solar and lunar eclipse?
- a lunar eclipse occurs during the night while a solar eclipse occurs during the day.
- a lunar eclipse occurs more than a solar eclipse
- it is quite safe to watch a lunar eclipse while it is not safe to look at a solar eclipse
- a lunar eclipses can only happen during a full moon where as a solar eclipse can only happen during a new moon.
How often do solar eclipses occur?
2.4 times a year is the average.
How often do lunar eclipses occur?
The number of total lunar eclipses can range from 0-3 and the number of partial lunar eclipses can range from 6-7.
Explain why total solar eclipses are much less frequent than partial eclipses?
The moon’s orbit is not always in line with the orbit of the Earth around the sun.
In fact it is tilted at about a 5 degrees to the Earth’s path around the sun.
The dark part of the shadow of the moon does not usually fall on the Earth.
However, the partial shadow is larger and more likely to fall on part of the Earth.
