Tuesday, 15 th March 2011

Solar and Lunar Eclipses

LO
To explain how eclipses happen
To describe the different types of solar eclipse
To look at ancient explanations of eclipses

Starter:
Describe what a solar eclipse is
SOLAR ECLIPSE
When the moon goes between the Sun and the Earth, casting a shadow

Total Partial Annular

LUNAR ECLIPSE
When the Earth casts a shadow on the Moon.
The red colour is caused by sunlight going through Earths atmosphere.
ECLIPSE MYTHS AND LEGENDS
In Ancient China, they believed that solar
eclipses were caused by a giant dragon
eating the sun. The Emperor ordered that
to frighten the dragon away, loud drums
were to be beaten and arrows fired into the
air. After the few minutes, the loud noises
and weapons scared off the dragon, and
the sun returned.
The ancient Inuit peoples believed that the
sun and moon were gods, and during a
solar eclipse they left their places in the sky
to see how things were doing on Earth.
Can you think of a legend explaining lunar
eclipses?
ORBIT
Path
Rotate
LUNAR ECLIPSE
Earth
Moon
SOLAR ECLIPSE
Sun
Earth
SOLAR SYSTEM
Planets
Sun