Name: _________________________________________
Date: _______________________
Eclipses
Objectives:
Explain how the changing relative positions of Earth, the Moon, and the sun account for
eclipses.
Illustrate eclipses of the Sun and Moon.
DO NOW:
1. Write about something fun you did this weekend!
2. List five of the eight phases of the moon (you do not have to list them in order).
Mini Lesson:
When?
When the moon passes
between the Sun and
the Earth, making the
sun completely disappear
(total eclipse) or partially
disappear (partial eclipse)
Picture
SOLAR
ECLIPSE
LUNAR ECLIPSE
When?
When the moon passes
through some portion of the
Earth’s shadow, so that Earth
blocks it from the Sun’s
reflected rays
Picture
Name: _________________________________________
Date: _______________________
Independent Practice:
1. Draw the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and moon during a solar eclipse.
SUN
E
M
2. Draw the relative positions of the Sun, Earth and moon during a lunar eclipse.
SUN
E
M
3. The diagram below shows Earth's orbit around the
Sun and different positions of the Moon as it travels
around Earth. Letters A through D represent four
different positions of the Moon. An eclipse of the Moon
is most likely to occur when the Moon is at position
1. A
3. C
2. B
4. D
Which picture correctly shows the positions of Earth, Moon, and Sun during a lunar eclipse?
Name: _________________________________________
Date: _______________________
4. For a solar eclipse to occur
a. the sun must be directly between Earth and the moon.
b. the moon must be directly between Earth and the sun.
c. the moon must be directly behind Earth.
d. Earth must be directly between the sun and the moon.
5. Which diagram best represents the positions of Earth (E), the Sun, and the Moon (M) that created
the solar eclipse? (Diagrams are not drawn to scale.)
6. A lunar eclipse occurs when the
(1) Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth
(2) Sun passes between Earth and the Moon
(3) Earth is between the Sun and the Moon
(4) Moon passes between Earth and the Sun
7. Which drawing below shows the positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun during a solar eclipse?