What happens during a solar and a lunor eclipse?
http://www.space.com/15584-solar-eclipses.html
http://www.space.com/15689-lunar-eclipses.html
In a solar eclipse, the moon covers all or (usually) part of the sun. If the whole sun is covered, it is cal;led a total solar eclipse. The next total eclipse in the United States will occur in 2017. The last ones were in 1979 and 1991 (Hawaii only).
In a lunar eclipse, all or part of the moon is in the earth's shadow. The moon is still visible in the shadow but is much less bright.
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During a solar eclipse, the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, temporarily blocking the Sun's light and casting a shadow on Earth. This happens when the Moon's orbit intersects with Earth's orbital plane, and the three celestial bodies are precisely aligned.
To understand this phenomenon further, you can conduct the following experiment:
1. Materials needed: A small ball (representing the Sun), a medium-sized ball (representing the Earth), and a smaller ball (representing the Moon).
2. Position yourself in a well-lit room or outdoors during the day.
3. Hold the Earth ball in one hand and the Moon ball in the other.
4. Stand facing a wall or a flat surface.
5. Hold the Earth ball at arm's length and position it between the Sun ball and the wall, with the Moon ball near your chest.
6. Move around and observe the different positions of the Moon ball in relation to the wall and the Sun ball.
You will notice that, depending on the alignment and distance between the Earth and Moon balls, a shadow (representing the eclipse) will be cast on the wall surface when the Moon ball comes between the Sun ball and the Earth ball.
Now, regarding a lunar eclipse, it occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the Sun's light from directly reaching the Moon. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun, and their alignment causes Earth's shadow to fall on the Moon.
To visualize how this happens:
1. Once again, gather the same materials used in the solar eclipse experiment.
2. This time, hold the Moon ball at arm's length between the Sun ball and the wall.
3. Stand facing the wall or surface as before.
4. Position the Earth ball on the opposite side of the Sun ball (the side facing away from you).
5. Move around and observe the different positions of the Earth and Moon balls in relation to the wall and the Sun ball.
You will notice that, at certain positions, the Earth ball will cast a shadow onto the Moon ball, representing a lunar eclipse. This occurs when the Earth directly blocks the Sun's light from reaching the Moon.
These experimental demonstrations will provide you with a visual understanding of what happens during solar and lunar eclipses.