Educational worksheet for sorting facts about total lunar and total solar eclipses.

Let’s sort each card into either “Total Lunar Eclipse” or “Total Solar Eclipse” by thinking about what happens in each type of eclipse.

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Step 1: Understand the basics

- A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking the Sun’s light. It can only happen during the day, and you must be careful not to look directly at it — it can hurt your eyes.

- A total lunar eclipse happens when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. It happens at night, and you can safely watch it with your eyes — no special equipment needed. The Moon often looks reddish during this.

Also:
- Solar eclipses happen more often (every 6 months or so), but total ones are rare for any one place.
- Lunar eclipses happen about twice a year, and total ones occur every 1–2 years.
- During a solar eclipse, the Sun gets darker (because the Moon blocks it).
- During a lunar eclipse, the Moon gets darker and may turn red.

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Step 2: Go card by card

1. “Takes place at night.”
→ Lunar eclipse happens at night. Solar happens during the day.
✔ Lunar Eclipse

2. “Can damage your eyesight.”
→ Looking at the Sun during a solar eclipse can hurt your eyes. Never look directly!
✔ Solar Eclipse

3. “The Moon casts a shadow on Earth.”
→ That’s what happens in a solar eclipse — Moon blocks Sun, shadow falls on Earth.
✔ Solar Eclipse

4. “The Earth casts a shadow.”
→ In a lunar eclipse, Earth is between Sun and Moon, so Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon.
✔ Lunar Eclipse

5. “The Moon appears darker and can go a red colour.”
→ Classic sign of a lunar eclipse — “blood moon.”
✔ Lunar Eclipse

6. “Takes place when there is a Full Moon.”
→ Lunar eclipses only happen during Full Moon. Solar eclipses happen during New Moon.
✔ Lunar Eclipse

7. “Can be seen by everyone on the side of the Earth that is in darkness when it occurs.”
→ Lunar eclipse is visible from anywhere on Earth where it’s nighttime — so many people can see it.
✔ Lunar Eclipse

8. “Takes place during the day time.”
→ Solar eclipse happens during the day — you need daylight to see the Sun being blocked.
✔ Solar Eclipse

9. “Can be viewed without specialist equipment.”
→ Lunar eclipse is safe to watch with bare eyes. Solar eclipse needs filters or projection.
✔ Lunar Eclipse

10. “Occurs every year and a half.”
→ Total lunar eclipses happen roughly every 1–2 years. This fits.
✔ Lunar Eclipse

11. Diagram: Sun — Moon — Earth (in line)
→ That’s a solar eclipse — Moon is in front, blocking Sun from Earth.
✔ Solar Eclipse

12. Diagram: Sun — Earth — Moon (in line)
→ That’s a lunar eclipse — Earth is in middle, casting shadow on Moon.
✔ Lunar Eclipse

13. “The Sun gets darker.”
→ Only during a solar eclipse — the Moon covers part or all of the Sun.
✔ Solar Eclipse

14. “Happens every two to three years.”
→ Total solar eclipses are rarer for any given location — they happen somewhere on Earth every 18 months or so, but for a specific spot, maybe every 2–3 years.
✔ Solar Eclipse

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Now let’s group them clearly:

Total Lunar Eclipse Cards:
- Takes place at night.
- The Earth casts a shadow.
- The Moon appears darker and can go a red colour.
- Takes place when there is a Full Moon.
- Can be seen by everyone on the side of the Earth that is in darkness when it occurs.
- Can be viewed without specialist equipment.
- Occurs every year and a half.
- Diagram: Sun — Earth — Moon

Total Solar Eclipse Cards:
- Can damage your eyesight.
- The Moon casts a shadow on Earth.
- Takes place during the day time.
- Diagram: Sun — Moon — Earth
- The Sun gets darker.
- Happens every two to three years.

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Final Answer:
Total Lunar Eclipse: Takes place at night; The Earth casts a shadow; The Moon appears darker and can go a red colour; Takes place when there is a Full Moon; Can be seen by everyone on the side of the Earth that is in darkness when it occurs; Can be viewed without specialist equipment; Occurs every year and a half; Diagram showing Sun — Earth — Moon.
Total Solar Eclipse: Can damage your eyesight; The Moon casts a shadow on Earth; Takes place during the day time; Diagram showing Sun — Moon — Earth; The Sun gets darker; Happens every two to three years.