Eclipses To distinguish between lunar and solar eclipses
Eclipses • To distinguish between lunar and solar eclipses and describe their mechanisms. • To describe the appearance of the Sun and Moon during solar and lunar eclipses. • To appreciate that eclipses do not occur every time the phase of the Moon is either full or new. STARTER: Imagine you didn’t know what caused a total eclipse of the Sun or Moon. How would you describe what you were seeing?
Eclipses – Why and when? Sun, Moon and Earth come in a straight line – ECLIPSE Infrequent- Moon orbit is inclined to Earth. • TOTAL eclipse – all Moon or Sun blotted out. • PARTIAL eclipse - part of Sun or Moon is covered.
Solar eclipse Shadow of Moon falls on Earth. Moon and Earth moving relative to Sun - shadow moves across Earth’s surface. MOON SUN a b c d e EARTH 1. Moon partially covers face of Sun (first contact to second contact). 2. The diamond ring effect. 3. Totality – (approx. 1 min) – corona visible. Another diamond ring. 4. Partial covering of Sun (third to fourth contact). Solar eclipses appear only during the new moon phase
The corona Low density gas at a very high temperature which extends millions of kilometres into space. Normally invisible but seen against the dark background of space during solar eclipse. The streamers we see are due to the effects of the Sun's magnetic field on charged particles in corona. The Corona The Diamond Baily's Beads Ring
Types of solar eclipse Total Hybrid Annular Partial eclipse 1. Make brief notes about different types of solar eclipse stated above. 2. Explain, with the aid of a diagram, why solar eclipses are rare. 3. Find out the dates and places for next observing these events. 4. When is the next solar eclipse in the UK? 5. Find out if there is any scientific value in observing solar eclipses.
Annular Solar Eclipses When Earth is near perihelion, and moon is near apogee, we see an annular solar eclipse. Perigee Apogee Perihelion Aphelion The angular sizes of the moon and the sun vary, depending on their distance from Earth.
Lunar eclipse When Earth comes between Sun and Moon - Lunar eclipse of the Moon EARTH Earth’s shadow SUN MOON Occur during full Moon and quite rare Sunlight which passes through Earth's atmosphere is scattered, (e. g. sunrise or sunset). Blue light scattered in all directions so light which falls on the Moon is from red end of spectrum and Moon appears beautiful pale red colour. Totality, when Moon is completely in shadow, lasts much longer solar eclipse as shadow of Earth is much bigger than Moon and can be over 100 minutes.
Types of lunar eclipse Penumbral Eclipse Total Lunar Eclipse Partial Lunar Eclipse 1. Look and make brief notes about different types of lunar eclipse stated above. 2. Find out the dates and places for observing these events over the next few years. 3. Find out if there is any scientific value in observing lunar eclipses.
A view from where, of what?
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