A solar eclipse is when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking the sun's light. People on Earth who are in the path of the Moon's shadow will be able to see the eclipse. The Sun is 400 times wider than the Moon and 400 times farther away, so they appear the same size in the sky.
Solar Eclipse Resources and Activities
Discover how to view an eclipse safely with AAS. terrestrial sky It also has some great tips and advice for protecting your eyes during an eclipse.
Frugal Fun for Boys has a brilliant DIY pinhole projector to see a solar eclipse.
Learn about him moon phases with some creative challenges.
Try some fun Mathematical challenges related to the eclipse..
Make a model of a solar eclipse.
The Royal Astronomical Society has a great solar eclipse worksheet.
Where can the April 2024 eclipse be seen?
The April 8, 2024, solar eclipse will be visible from a band about 115 miles wide that crosses 15 states from Texas to Maine and parts of Mexico and Canada. This is called the path of totality. The NASA website has a great eclipse explorer interactive mapso you can know if you live in an area where the eclipse will be visible.
Solar eclipse data
A solar eclipse only occurs during the new moon phase.
During totality, the Moon perfectly covers the sun.
The Moon is 400 times smaller than the Sun.
The Sun is 400 farther from the Earth than the Moon.
When the Moon passes in front of the Sun, it casts a shadow on the Earth.
Eclipses do not occur every month because the Moon's orbit is tilted.
Partial solar eclipses are quite common, total solar eclipses are rare.
During the period of totality, when the Sun is completely covered, the solar atmosphere (the corona) is visible.
The first recorded solar eclipse was on October 22, 2134 BC
Read about it history of eclipses.
When is the next solar eclipse?
The next total solar eclipse visible from the US will be August 23, 2044.
The next total solar eclipse visible from the UK will be in 2090!
ALWAYS remember to protect your eyes during a solar eclipse.
For more fun rocket science activities, check out my book. This is rocket science.
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Last updated on April 8, 2024 by Emma Vanstone
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