CLASS 6 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE
Solar and lunar eclipses: basic principles
How it works
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is between the Sun and the Earth and blocks part of the sunlight on the Earth. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon and the Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon. Eclipses can occur only at new moon (solar eclipse) or full moon (lunar eclipse). The orbits of the Earth and the Moon are slightly inclined relative to each other, so there is not an eclipse at every new moon or full moon.
Note
Solar eclipses occur at new moon, when the Moon partly or completely covers the Sun as seen from the Earth. Lunar eclipses occur at full moon, when the Moon enters the Earth’s shadow. The inclination of the Moon’s orbit often prevents more frequent eclipses.
Solar eclipses occur at new moon, when the Moon partly or completely covers the Sun as seen from the Earth. Lunar eclipses occur at full moon, when the Moon enters the Earth’s shadow. The inclination of the Moon’s orbit often prevents more frequent eclipses.
An example
When can a solar eclipse occur?
A solar eclipse can occur only at new moon, when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun. Because of the inclination of the Moon’s orbit, this is not the case at every new moon.
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50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Astronomy. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.