1. Solar and Lunar Eclipses Notes #129

2. What is an Eclipse? When the Earth or the Moon temporarily blocks sunlight from reaching the other.

3. Why do eclipses occur? The sun shines on both Earth and Moon, casting shadows in opposite direction of the Sun.

4. Why do eclipses occur? Eclipses can occur because of the movement of those shadows. Eventually the shadow of one will fall upon the other, creating an eclipse .

5. Solar Eclipse = Moon blocks sunlight from reaching the Earth. Moon’s shadow falls on Earth. Lunar Eclipse = Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon. Earth’s shadow falls on Moon.

6. Shadows have two parts. Umbra - the darkest part of the shadow, all sunlight blocked

7. Penumbra - lighter shadow surrounding the umbra, partial sunlight blocked

8. Depending on where you are on Earth, you may see a total or partial eclipse.

9. Eclipses can only occur when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are lined up perfectly in a straight line.

12. New Moon You don’t see the moon in the sky – but it is there.

14. Sun Moon Earth All 3 lined up in a straight line. SOLAR ECLIPSE UMBRA PENUMBRA

15. We have a New Moon every month – why don’t we have a Solar Eclipse every month?

16. Because the orbit of the moon is tilted and therefore the 3 bodies (sun, moon, earth) do not line up in a straight line every month.

19. Full Moon

21. Sun Earth Moon All 3 lined up in a straight line. LUNAR ECLIPSE UMBRA PENUMBRA

22. We have a Full Moon every month – why don’t we have a Lunar Eclipse every month?

23. Because the orbit of the moon is tilted and therefore the 3 bodies (sun, moon, earth) do not line up in a straight line every month.

24. Fact – the Moon does not generate its own light. Moonlight is sunlight reflecting off the Moon.