Lunar and Solar Eclipses

Name: _________________________________       Date: _____________

Eclipses have awed and fascinated humans for as long as they have walked on Earth. What causes eclipses? What's the difference between a lunar and a solar eclipse? When do they occur? You'll find out in this activity.

1. First, you'll explore lunar eclipses. Sketch the positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon during a lunar eclipse.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What phase must the Moon be in for a lunar eclipse?
   
   
   
   
3. Explain why.
   
   
   
   
4. What is the outer or penumbral shadow?
   
   
   
   
5. What is the inner or umbral shadow?
   
   
   
   
6. Describe the different kinds of lunar eclipses:
   1. Penumbral (partial) lunar eclipse
      
      
      
      
   2. Total lunar eclipse
      
      
      
      
7. Explain why the Moon does not appear completely black during a lunar eclipse.
   
   
   
   
8. Next, you'll find out about solar eclipses. Sketch the positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon during a solar eclipse.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. What phase must the Moon be in for a solar eclipse?
   
   
   
   
10. Explain why.
    
    
    
    
11. What is the path of totality?
    
    
    
    
12. What's the difference between a total solar eclipse and a partial one?
    
    
    
    
13. How is an annular eclipse different from a total eclispe?
    
    
    
    
14. Why are total solar eclipses so rare?