Eclipse Apprentice Training

During a solar eclipse, the Moon blocks the Sun’s light from reaching some places on Earth. The Moon is much smaller than the Sun. But, the Moon is also much closer to Earth than the Sun. So the Moon appears to be the same size as the Sun and can block the Sun from view during a solar eclipse. When the Moon moves perfectly in a line in between the Sun and the Earth it casts a shadow on the Earth. The shadow does not stay in one place on Earth. The Moon’s shadow moves across the Earth’s surface because both the Earth and the Moon are moving. If you are in a place on Earth that is in the Moon’s shadow, you will experience a solar eclipse.

Shadow – darkness caused by the blocking of a light source

Solar eclipse – when the moon passes in between the Earth and the Sun and the Sun’s light is partially or totally blocked by the Moon

Write, draw, or verbally discuss the answers to the following question:

Why does it get dark during a solar eclipse?