Understanding Solar Eclipses

What causes a solar eclipse?

• The sun moves behind the Earth, causing darkness.

• The Earth moves between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow.

• Clouds cover the sun, making it look like an eclipse.

• The moon moves between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun's rays.

Why do the sun and the moon appear the same size in the sky?

• Because the sun is much closer to the Earth than the moon.

• Because the moon is much larger than the sun.

• Because the sun is 400 times wider than the moon but also 400 times farther away.

• Because the moon is 400 times closer to the Earth than the sun.

Why isn't there an eclipse every month?

• Because the Earth's orbit changes.

• Because the moon's orbit is usually tilted a few degrees north or south in relation to the Earth.

• Because the moon is too small.

• Because the sun moves too fast.

What is the umbra?

• A type of solar eclipse.

• A planet.

• The larger, lighter shadow cast by the moon.

• The smaller, darker shadow cast by the moon.

What is a total eclipse?

• When the moon appears too small to fully cover the sun.

• When the moon completely covers the sun's surface.

• When the moon partially covers the sun's surface.

• When the Earth covers the sun.

What is an annular eclipse?

• When the moon's shadow on Earth is the largest.

• When the sun appears larger than the moon.

• When the moon completely covers the sun.

• When the moon is too far away to fully cover the sun, leaving a ring of the sun visible.

How can you safely watch a solar eclipse?

• By looking directly at the sun.

• With regular sunglasses.

• With a telescope.

• With certified eclipse-watching glasses.

What will eventually stop total solar eclipses from happening?

• Clouds covering the sun.

• The moon moving about one and a half inches away from Earth each year.

• The moon getting larger.

• The sun moving closer to the Earth.