Friday 20th March 2015

Solar and Lunar Eclipses

WALT:

To explain how eclipses happen

To describe the different types of solar eclipse

To look at ancient explanations of eclipses

Starter:Describe what a solar eclipse is

SOLAR ECLIPSE• When the moon goes between the Sun and the Earth, casting a shadow

Total Partial Annular

LUNAR ECLIPSE• When the Earth casts a shadow on the Moon.

• The red colour is caused by sunlight going through Earth’s atmosphere.

ECLIPSE MYTHS AND LEGENDS• In Ancient China, they believed that solar

eclipses were caused by a giant dragon eating the sun. The Emperor ordered that to frighten the dragon away, loud drums were to be beaten and arrows fired into the air. After the few minutes, the loud noises and weapons scared off the dragon, and the sun returned.

• The ancient Inuit peoples believed that the sun and moon were gods, and during a solar eclipse they left their places in the sky to see how things were doing on Earth.

• Can you think of a legend explaining lunar eclipses?

ORBIT• Path

• Rotate

LUNAR ECLIPSE• Earth

• Moon

SOLAR ECLIPSE• Sun

• Earth

SOLAR SYSTEM• Planets

• Sun