Eclipses

By: Hiromi and Michelle

Eclipse Types

Solar Lunar

Solar• Definition- The obscuration of the light of the

moon by the intervention of the earth between it and the sun

• Records of Solar eclipse have been around since ancient times

• Magnitude- fraction of the sun covered by the moon

Types of Solar EclipsePartial

Hybrid

Total Annular

Partial (Penumbra)

• The sun and the moon are not exactly in line causing the moon only partially blocks the sun

• The umbra passes above the Earth’s Polar region, but never crosses Earth’s surface

Annular (Antumbra)• Moon and Sun are in line• Moon is smaller than the sun so it isn’t completely

covered• Sun shines behind the moon in a bright ring (annulus)• Diamond ring effect- see a shinning halo (Corona), which is usually not visible

Total (Umbra)• The moon completely

covers the sun causing a darkness in the sky

• Earth intersects the umbra portion of the moon’s shadow

• Last as long as 7 minutes 31 seconds

Hybrid “oddball”• A solar eclipse that

shifts between a annular and a total eclipse

• Changes depending on where you are on Earth

• Extremely rare

Observing a Partial Solar Eclipse

• Pinhole camera • Solar filter• Welders’ goggles• Exposed/developed black and white film

Occurrences• Between 2-5 times a year• (total solar eclipses can only happen 2 times a

year)• Last total solar eclipse was on July 11, 2010• Next is said to be November 13, 2012

Video

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwGs8_otT64

LUNAR ECLIPSE

What is Lunar Eclipse? When does it happen?

• When moon passes through the Earth’s shadow.

• Happens only when the moon is on the far side of the Earth from the sun.

• Can be seen from the entire Hemisphere.

Positions of the Moon During a Lunar eclipse

• Far away from the sun

• Behind the Earth’s shadow caused by the sun

Usual Duration (completion) of the Eclipse:

Usually last over 1 hour; least duration time 30 minutes.

Types of Lunar Eclipse

• A) Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

• B) Partial Lunar Eclipse

• C) Total Lunar Eclipse

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

Partial Lunar Eclipse

Total Lunar Eclipse

WHY RED?

• It is caused by the sunlight passing through the Earth’s hemisphere.

• The remaining light coming out of the hemisphere is redish-orange.

Some Facts…..

• Lunar Eclipse occurs 0 to 3 times each year• There are 7,718 lunar eclipses recorded

throughout history• This year lunar eclipse is scheduled to June 15

and December 10.

Sample Video of Lunar Eclipse from Dec 21, 2010; this lasted almost 4 hours and 30 mins:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhZWIgUUPZ8

Works Cited• Espenak, Fred, and Mark Littmann. "Observing Solar Eclipses

Safely." MrEclipse Index. 1999. Web. 19 Jan. 2011. <http://www.mreclipse.com/Totality/TotalityCh11.html>.

• Espenak, Fred. "Solar Eclipses for Beginners." MrEclipse Index. 2009. Web. 19 Jan. 2011. <http://www.mreclipse.com/Special/SEprimer.html>.

• "Solar Eclipse." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 14 Jan. 2011. Web. 19 Jan. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse>.

• "Lunar Eclipses for Beginners." MrEclipse Index. Web. 21 Jan. 2011. http://mreclipse.com/Special/LEprimer.html.

• "Eclipse." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 21 Jan. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipse>.