All About A Solar Eclipse

All About A Solar Eclipse? One of the things that jump-started my young college career was a simple fact that I loved space. I wanted to take an Astronomy class more than anything and finally got to when I was in 5th grade.

I learned about all sorts of great things and eclipses were just one small thing we learned about.

All About A Solar Eclipse

I have offered you a FREE PRINTABLE Our Shining Sun Unit Study before and also fun things like Cool Moon Phases Trading Cards. This pack talks a little more about BOTH of those things!

What is a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?

Solar eclipses result from the Moon blocking the Sun relative to the Earth; thus Earth, Moon and Sun all lie on a line. Lunar eclipses work the same way in a different order: Moon, Earth and Sun all on a line. In this case the Earth’s shadow hides the Moon from view.

What happens during a solar eclipse?

Here is a great video of a solar eclipse:

I have a worksheet that shows it, in pictures – as well as what happens during a lunar eclipse.

I actually go a little more in to depth on these with another worksheet. It also shows a fun way to demonstrate it with a flashlight:

Will it be dark during solar eclipse?

Yes. Only the corona of the sun is visible around the blocked-out sun. At this time, the sky goes dark, temperatures can fall, and birds and animals often go quiet.

Can you just imagine if this happened permanently? What would we even do without the sun? Plants would die, animals would starve, and then we would have a serious problem.

Good thing this is only temporary, right? Whew!

There is a sheet that over-simplifies it all –

Is it bad to watch a solar eclipse?

Um. Yes.

Unless you use eye protection. There are special glasses you can wear, or even fun contraptions you can make, but NEVER look directly at a solar eclipse.

Lunar eclipse? That is a totally different story and OK for your eyes.

We actually have a sheet for you to use when you are lucky enough to have either a solar or lunar eclipse viewing opportunity:

I round the six-page set out with a little bit of fun – this last worksheet has a word search so you can just acclimate yourself with the terminology.