Types of solar eclipse

Types of solar eclipse

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
This task is about solar eclipses.
Total eclipse solar-eclipse-moon-meets-sun.png solar-eclipse-sun-large.png solar-eclipse-moon-over-sun.png

Key

Sun       solar-eclipse-sun-small.png

Moon    solar-eclipse-moon-small.png
Partial eclipse solar-eclipse-partial-eclipse-image-3.png solar-eclipse-partial-eclipse-image-2.png solar-eclipse-partial-eclipse-image-1.png
Annular eclipse solar-eclipse-annular-eclipse-image-1.png solar-eclipse-annular-eclipse-image-2.png solar-eclipse-annular-eclipse-image-3.png

Above are three types of solar eclipse.

Question 2Change answer

a)  i)  In which eclipse would the Moon be at its greatest distance from the Earth?
          total eclipsepartial eclipseannular eclipse
     ii) Explain why you chose this eclipse.
          

Question 2Change answer

b)  What is the difference between a total eclipse and a partial eclipse?
     

Question 2Change answer

c)  Explain what happens during a solar eclipse.
     
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online (with some auto-marking).
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Planet Earth
Keywords: 
astronomical systems, Moon, Sun, eclipses, diagrams
Description of task: 
Task: Answer questions about types of solar eclipse. Assessment focus: interpreting diagrams.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
Scientists represent their ideas in a variety of ways, including models, graphs, charts, diagrams and written texts. This resource provides opportunities to discuss how the position of the moon blocks light from the sun reaching Earth.
 

 
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 

 

Y9 (03/2000)

a)

i)
ii)

Annular eclipse
Because the Moon appears smaller (i.e., it is at its greatest distance from the Earth).

easy
moderate

b)

 

In a total eclipse the Moon covers the Sun completely (or reverse of).

easy

c)

 

When the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun.
It blocks the Sun's light from reaching the Earth.

moderate
difficult