Solar eclipse
The Moon hides the Sun.
A dark day
Sometimes the Sun seems to lose its light in the middle of the day.
What do you think blocks the Sun?
What this lesson covers
The idea
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth in a way that blocks sunlight from reaching the Earth.
A dark day
Sometimes the Sun seems to lose its light in the middle of the day.
What do you think blocks the Sun?
- The Moon
- A big cloud
- The Earth’s own shadow
Move the Moon
Move the Moon round the Earth. The picture is not to scale. It is only a model.
The Moon in the way
When the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth, it blocks sunlight. Never look at the Sun, not even during an eclipse. It can damage the eyes and cause blindness.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth in a way that blocks sunlight from reaching the Earth.
Notes
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth in a way that blocks sunlight from reaching the Earth.
Check yourself
In a solar eclipse, what comes between the Sun and the Earth?
During a solar eclipse, the Moon …
How should a solar eclipse be watched?
In a solar eclipse, where is the Moon?
- The planet Venus. Venus looks far too small to block the Sun.
- A big cloud. Clouds are in the Earth’s air. They do not cause an eclipse.
- The Moon — correct. Yes! The Moon comes in between.
- blocks sunlight from reaching a part of the Earth — correct. Yes! The Moon is in the way.
- stops the Earth from rotating. The Earth keeps rotating during an eclipse.
- makes its own bright light. The Moon has no light of its own. It only reflects sunlight.
- By looking at the Sun through sunglasses. Even during an eclipse the Sun can damage the eyes. Sunglasses are not safe.
- At an event run by planetarium or astronomy club people, with special eye protection — correct. Yes! The organisers give special eye protection and explain the science.
- By looking straight at the Sun for a short time. Never look at the Sun directly, not even for a short time.
- Far away on the other side of the Sun. The Moon goes round the Earth, so it cannot be on the far side of the Sun.
- Behind the Earth, away from the Sun. That is where the Moon is during a lunar eclipse.
- Between the Sun and the Earth — correct. Yes! It blocks the sunlight.