P7 Page 2 Flashcards
0
Q
Explain a lunar eclipse.
A
The Moon sometimes passes into the Earth’s shadow. The Earth blocks the sunlight from the Moon , so almost no light is reflected from the Moon and just seems to disappear.
A partial lunar eclipse is were some of the moon is in the Earth’s shadow.
1
Q
Name the two main phases of moon.
A
Full moon and new moon.
2
Q
What is a solar eclipse?
A
The Moon(purely by chance) is the right size and distance away that when it passes between the Sun and the Earth, it can block out the sun. From some parts of the Earth the Sun is completely blocked out. For many places the Sun is partially blocked out- called a partial solar eclipse.
3
Q
Why do eclipses not happen very often?
A
- The moon orbits the Earth at an angle to Earth’s orbit around the Sun.
- Rare for the Moon,Earth and Sun to line up.
- In solar eclipses only a small region of Earth experience it.
