- An eclipse is a partial or complete darkening of one heavenly body by another, most commonly involving the Sun and Moon.
- A solar eclipse occurs only during a new moon, when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. It doesn't happen every month because the Moon’s orbit is tilted, so it usually passes above or below the Sun from Earth’s perspective.
- Astronomers can predict the exact time, duration, and type (total, annular, or partial) of an eclipse.
- A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon completely blocks the Sun, lasting up to 7.5 minutes. An annular eclipse occurs when the Moon is too far away to fully cover the Sun, leaving a bright ring visible. A partial eclipse happens when only part of the Sun is covered.
- The path of totality for a total solar eclipse is very narrow (up to 167 miles wide) but can be long (up to 9,000 miles), and any single location on Earth sees a total solar eclipse roughly once every 360 years.
- During a total solar eclipse, observers in the path of totality experience sudden darkness, cooler air, visible stars, and the Sun’s corona and prominences before daylight returns as the Moon moves on.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of solar and lunar eclipse worksheet middle school.
