Regents Earth Science
Name:
ECLIPSES
Eclipse Worksheet
5/15/2011
1
Regents Questions: Complete the following questions based on your knowledge of eclipses!
1. A total solar eclipse was visible to observers in the southeastern United States on February 26, 1998. The
diagram below shows the Sun and Earth as they were viewed from space on that date.
Draw the Moon (as a small circle), showing its position at the time of the solar eclipse.
2. The new-moon phase occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. However; these
positions do not always cause an eclipse (blocking) of the Sun because the
A) Moon's orbit is tilted relative to the Earth's orbit
B) night side of the Moon faces toward the Earth
C) apparent diameter of the Moon is greatest during the new-moon phase
D) new-moon phase is visible only at night
Diagram I below represents the Moon orbiting the Earth as viewed from space above the North Pole. The Moon is shown
at 8 different positions in its orbit. Diagram II represents phases of the Moon as seen from the Earth when the Moon is at
position 2 and at position 4.
3. State the two positions
of the Moon at which an
eclipse could occur.
and
Eclipse Worksheet
5/15/2011
2
The diagram below shows the position of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth during a solar eclipse. The full shadow (umbra)
and partial shadow (penumbra) of the Moon and Earth are shown.
4. Which diagram best represents the appearance of the Sun and the Moon to an observer located within the
umbra of the Moon’s shadow on Earth’s surface?
Eclipse Worksheet
5/15/2011
3
Base your answers to questions 5 through 8 on the information
below about a solar eclipse that will occur on August 21, 2017. The
latitude and longitude coordinates for the movement of the center
of the Moon’s shadow across Earth’s surface are given in the table.
5. On the graph below, plot with an X the path of the center
of the Moon’s shadow for each position given in the data
table. Connect the Xs with a smooth, curved line. Shadow
position number 1 has been plotted on the graph.
6. The path of the Moon’s shadow will be approximately 100 kilometers wide. On the graph, shade the area
between positions 1 and 2 to show the width of the Moon’s shadow on Earth.
7. On the diagram, place an X on the Moon’s orbit to show the Moon’s position during a solar eclipse.
Eclipse Worksheet
5/15/2011
4