Earth and Space Science / Unit 9: The Solar System
9.7 Eclipses
Notes
- Solar eclipse: the Moon passes between Earth and Sun, at new moon. The Moon's shadow falls on Earth: umbra (total) and penumbra (partial).
- Lunar eclipse: Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, at full moon, and the Moon enters Earth's shadow. It looks red-orange.
- Eclipses are not monthly because the Moon's orbit is tilted about 5° to Earth's orbit.
- Never look at the Sun without eclipse glasses.
- Lunar eclipses can be seen by everyone on the night side; total solar eclipses are visible along a narrow path.
Practice
A solar eclipse occurs at which moon phase?
The Moon is between Earth and Sun.
Why is there not an eclipse every month?
Usually the shadows miss.
During a lunar eclipse, the Moon:
Earth is between Sun and Moon.
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