Lunar Eclipses
Did you know that the Moon sometimes turns deep red in the night sky? This happens during a lunar eclipse. Let's see what a lunar eclipse is.
When the Earth is perfectly aligned between the Sun and the full Moon, the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow. This phenomenon is called a lunar eclipse.
Earth’s shadow has two parts: the umbra, the darkest inner shadow where no sunlight reaches, and the penumbra, the lighter outer shadow where some sunlight still gets through.
When only part of the Moon moves into Earth's umbra, creating a mix of shadow and light, it is called a partial lunar eclipse. When the Moon moves only through Earth’s penumbra, it’s called a penumbral eclipse where the moon appears slightly dimmed.
In a total lunar eclipse, the Moon entirely moves into Earth’s umbra and takes on a reddish glow. This happens because only red light from Earth's atmosphere reaches the Moon.
Since the Earth’s shadow is much larger than the Moon and the Moon moves at a relatively slower speed, lunar eclipses last for hours.
Lunar Eclipse
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon. This can only happen during a full moon when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are closely aligned. There are three main types of lunar eclipses: total, partial, and penumbral.
- During a total lunar eclipse, the entire Moon passes through Earth’s shadow, taking on a reddish hue, often called a "Blood Moon."
- In a partial lunar eclipse, only a portion of the Moon is shadowed.
- In a penumbral eclipse, the Moon passes through the lighter part of Earth's shadow, causing a subtle dimming.
Science and Engineering Practices (SEP): Developing and Using Models
Scientists develop and use models to describe and predict lunar eclipses. Because eclipses follow a repeating pattern, scientists create models illustrating how the Moon’s orbit aligns with Earth and the Sun. These models explain why lunar eclipses do not occur every month and how different types of eclipses form. By refining these models, scientists can accurately predict future lunar eclipses and study how Earth’s atmosphere affects the Moon’s appearance during an eclipse.
Activity Ideas:
- Create a moon phase and eclipse wheel- Make a paper wheel that shows the Moon’s phases and when a lunar eclipse can occur. Use colored paper or markers to show where the Sun, Earth, and Moon need to be lined up for an eclipse to happen during the full moon phase
- Lunar eclipse mythology project- Research how different cultures explained lunar eclipses in the past. Then, create your own short myth or story to explain why the Moon disappears during an eclipse.
Crosscutting Concept (CCC): Cause and Effect
The causes and effects of lunar eclipses are predictable, allowing scientists to determine when and where they will occur.
- Cause: The Moon orbits Earth at a slight tilt relative to Earth’s orbit around the Sun.
Effect: Lunar eclipses do not happen every month because the Moon usually passes above or below Earth’s shadow. - Cause: The Sun, Earth, and Moon must be closely aligned for a lunar eclipse to happen.
Effect: A total or partial lunar eclipse occurs, depending on how much of the Moon enters Earth’s shadow. - Cause: Earth’s atmosphere bends sunlight, scattering blue light and allowing red light to reach the Moon.
Effect: During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon appears red, creating a Blood Moon.
Did you know that the Moon sometimes turns deep red in the night sky? This happens during a lunar eclipse. Let's see what a lunar eclipse is.
When the Earth is perfectly aligned between the Sun and the full Moon, the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow. This phenomenon is called a lunar eclipse.
Earth’s shadow has two parts: the umbra, the darkest inner shadow where no sunlight reaches, and the penumbra, the lighter outer shadow where some sunlight still gets through.
When only part of the Moon moves into Earth's umbra, creating a mix of shadow and light, it is called a partial lunar eclipse. When the Moon moves only through Earth’s penumbra, it’s called a penumbral eclipse where the moon appears slightly dimmed.
In a total lunar eclipse, the Moon entirely moves into Earth’s umbra and takes on a reddish glow. This happens because only red light from Earth's atmosphere reaches the Moon.
Since the Earth’s shadow is much larger than the Moon and the Moon moves at a relatively slower speed, lunar eclipses last for hours.
Did you know that the Moon sometimes turns deep red in the night sky? This happens during a lunar eclipse. Let's see what a lunar eclipse is.
When the Earth is perfectly aligned between the Sun and the full Moon, the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow. This phenomenon is called a lunar eclipse.
Earth’s shadow has two parts: the umbra, the darkest inner shadow where no sunlight reaches, and the penumbra, the lighter outer shadow where some sunlight still gets through.
When only part of the Moon moves into Earth's umbra, creating a mix of shadow and light, it is called a partial lunar eclipse. When the Moon moves only through Earth’s penumbra, it’s called a penumbral eclipse where the moon appears slightly dimmed.
In a total lunar eclipse, the Moon entirely moves into Earth’s umbra and takes on a reddish glow. This happens because only red light from Earth's atmosphere reaches the Moon.
Since the Earth’s shadow is much larger than the Moon and the Moon moves at a relatively slower speed, lunar eclipses last for hours.
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