Unit 4: Position and Motion of Objects in the Sky

5th Grade Unit 4: Position and Motion of Objects in the Sky ECLIPSES

GOAL Students observe and investigate solar and lunar eclipses with an internet activity, models, and a writing activity.

Big Idea: Objects in the sky move in regular and predictable patterns around the sun.

GLCE Content: E.ST.05.24 Explain lunar and solar eclipses.

GLCE Process Skills: S.IP.05.13 Use tools and equipment (models) appropriate to scientific investigations for the position and motion of objects in the sky. S.RS.05.15 Demonstrate scientific concepts concerning the position and motion of objects in the sky through various illustrations, performances, models, exhibits, and activities.

BACKGROUND  The word “eclipse” means to “block light” – this can help the students distinguish between the two types of eclipses.  On rare occasions, the sun’s light is entirely or partially blocked by the moon. This is called a solar eclipse.  In a solar eclipse the MOON comes directly between earth and sun, casting a shadow on part of the earth’s surface (see diagram).  In a total solar eclipse, the entire sun is blocked out by the moon, which creates near total darkness on earth.  In a partial solar eclipse, the moon covers just part of the sun, which creates reduced light on earth.  In a lunar eclipse, the EARTH comes between moon and sun, casting a shadow on the moon’s surface (see diagram).  In a total lunar eclipse, the moon is entirely covered by the earth’s shadow.  In a partial lunar eclipse, only part of the moon is covered by the shadow of the earth.  An eclipse does not happen each month because the moon’s orbit is tilted a little above or below the Earth’s orbit.

VOCABULARY State Assessable: lunar, solar, eclipse, revolution, rotation MATERIALS For each student: Computer internet access to the following website: http://www.kidseclipse.com/pages/a1b3c0d0.htm ; Eclipse Simulation worksheet

For pairs of students (after internet activity): light source (Sun), white golf ball (Moon), blue softball (Earth); Eclipse Model worksheet

This activity should take approximately 1-2, 45 minute session/s.

PROCEDURE 1. For convenience, create a link to the eclipse website on your classroom webpage. Students can then access your page and get to the site more easily. 2. Have students preview the Eclipse Simulation worksheet before logging onto computers. 3. Students can complete the Eclipse Simulation worksheet independently or in pairs. 4. When students have completed the worksheet, project the website on the classroom screen and go over the worksheet with the entire class. 5. Next, the students will model the eclipses in pairs. However, each student should complete their own Eclipse Model worksheet while investigating. There are more detailed directions on the accompanying worksheet to help guide students as they model the eclipses. 6. Circulate throughout the groups to be sure that students are modeling correctly. 7. Discuss with the whole group the modeling activity and student observations and findings.

HOW TO INCORPORATE MORE INQUIRY  http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html  Use the models again to have the students determine if a person could see an Earth eclipse from the Moon. Show what that would look like.

EXPECTED RESULTS See Teacher Answer Key/s & Big Ideas

CONCLUSIONS See Teacher Answer Key/s & Big Ideas NAME ______COMPUTER SIMULATION ECLIPSES: How do the Sun, the Earth and the Moon move?

 Read How do the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon move? Record 3 facts.

1. ______

______

2. ______

______

3. ______

______

 Click on What is an eclipse? link at the bottom of the page.

1. Draw the illustration shown.

2. What is a lunar eclipse? ______

______3. What is a solar eclipse? ______

______4. What type of eclipse is shown in the illustration? ______

 Click on What is a total Solar Eclipse?

1. During a solar eclipse, the Moon casts two shadows on the Earth. What are the names of these two shadows? ______2. What is the difference between a regular solar eclipse and a TOTAL solar eclipse? ______

______

 Click on What Happens during a Total Solar Eclipse? 1. What are Shadow Bands? ______

______2. What are Baileys Beads? ______

______3. What is the Sun’s corona? ______

______

 Click on What are the Safety Facts?

1. What can happen to you if you look at the Sun without protection? ______2. What are some safe ways to look at the Sun? ______

______

 Click on What are some myths about eclipses? Summarize 3 stories/myths/historical references.

1. ______

______

2. ______

______

3. ______

______

 Click on What do you know about our Sun?

1. What is the surface temperature of the Sun? ______2. How many Earths can fit inside the Sun? ______3. How many years until the Sun burns out? ______4. How fast does light travel? ______5. How many minutes does it take for sunlight to reach Earth? ______ Click on How much do you know about our Moon?

1. Some rocks from the Moon are how old? ______

2. How many times closer to Earth is our Moon than the Sun? ______3. From Earth, why does the Moon appear to change shape? ______

______4. How many days does it REALLY take the Moon to orbit Earth?

______

5. How many miles is the Moon from Earth? ______

NAME ______

ECLIPSE MODEL WORKSHEET

In a Solar Eclipse, the Moon comes directly between Earth and Sun, casting a shadow on part of Earth’s surface. In a Lunar Eclipse, the Moon becomes dark because Earth is casting a shadow on it.

Below are two diagrams. Determine and label which one shows a Solar Eclipse and which one shows a Lunar Eclipse. With the lights turned off, use a flashlight (Sun), golf ball (Moon), and a softball (Earth) to create your own Lunar and Solar eclipses. Label the following in each diagram below: Sun, Moon, Earth, Shadow.

______Eclipse

NAME TEACHER ANSWER KEY COMPUTER SIMULATION ECLIPSES: How do the Sun, the Earth and the Moon move?

 Read How do the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon move? Record 3 facts.

1. ______

______

2. ______

______

3. ______

______

 Click on What is an eclipse? link at the bottom of the page.

1. Draw the illustration shown. 2. What is a lunar eclipse? A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves between the Sun and the moon, blocking part of the Sun's light from reaching the moon. During a lunar eclipse, you will see the Earth's shadow on the moon.

3. What is a solar eclipse? In a solar eclipse, the moon moves between the Earth and the Sun. When this happens, part of the Sun's light is blocked. The sky slowly gets dark as the moon moves in front of the Sun.

4. What type of eclipse is shown in the illustration? SOLAR ECLIPSE

 Click on What is a total Solar Eclipse?

1. During a solar eclipse, the Moon casts two shadows on the Earth. What are the names of these two shadows? One shadow is called the umbra which becomes smaller as it reaches the Earth. The second shadow is called the penumbra which becomes larger as it reaches the Earth. 2. What is the difference between a regular solar eclipse and a TOTAL solar eclipse? In a solar eclipse, the Moon moves between the earth and the Sun. When the Moon and Sun are in a perfect line, it is called a total eclipse.  Click on What Happens during a Total Solar Eclipse?

1. What are Shadow Bands? Thin wavy lines called Shadow Bands appear on plain surfaces on the ground. Shadow Bands are caused by the irregularities in the Earth's atmosphere.

2. What are Baileys Beads? As the crescent disappears, tiny specks of light are visible around the edge of the Sun. These specks of light are called Baily's Beads and are the last rays of Sunlight shining through the valleys on the edge of the Moon.

3. What is the Sun’s corona? Once the Sun is totally eclipsed, the Sun's corona can be seen shining in all directions around the Moon. This is a spectacular sight because the only time the Sun's corona or crown can be seen is during a total solar eclipse.

 Click on What are the Safety Facts?

1. What can happen to you if you look at the Sun without protection? Looking directly at the Sun without any type of protection can BURN a part of your eye called the retina. You wouldn't even feel the burn happening, but the damage done would last forever. 2. What are some safe ways to look at the Sun? One is with a pair of approved eclipse glasses, an eclipse viewer that you can buy, or with a pinhole camera. The eclipse may also be televised and it is safe to watch a solar eclipse on television.  Click on What are some myths about eclipses? Summarize 3 stories/myths/historical references.

1. ______

______

2. ______

______

3. ______

______

 Click on What do you know about our Sun?

1. What is the surface temperature of the Sun? The surface temperature of the Sun is 11,000 degrees F. 2. How many Earths can fit inside the Sun? The Sun is so large that a million Earths could fit inside the Sun. 3. How many years until the Sun burns out? About 5 billion more years before it burns itself out. 4. How fast does light travel? Light travels at a speed of 300,000km per second. 5. How many minutes does it take for sunlight to reach Earth? Sunlight takes 8 1/2 minutes to reach Earth.

 Click on How much do you know about our Moon?

1. Some rocks from the Moon are how old? 4.42 billion (4,420,000,000) years old. 2. How many times closer to Earth is our Moon than the Sun? The Moon is 400 times closer than the Sun 3. From Earth, why does the Moon appear to change shape? As the Moon moves around the Earth, we see only parts of the lighted half of the Moon. 4. How many days does it REALLY take the Moon to orbit Earth?

The Moon orbits the Earth every 27.5 days.

5. How many miles is the Moon from Earth? 238,860 miles NAME TEACHER ANSWER KEY

ECLIPSE MODEL WORKSHEET

In a Solar Eclipse, the Moon comes directly between Earth and Sun, casting a shadow on part of Earth’s surface. In a Lunar Eclipse, the Moon becomes dark because Earth is casting a shadow on it.

Below are two diagrams. Determine and label which one shows a Solar Eclipse and which one shows a Lunar Eclipse. With the lights turned off, use a flashlight (Sun), golf ball (Moon), and a softball (Earth) to create your own Lunar and Solar eclipses. Label the following in each diagram below: Sun, Moon, Earth, Shadow.

LUNAR Eclipse

SHADOW MOON SUN

SOLAR Eclipse

MOON SUN SHADOW EARTH