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๐ฌ Think about it
So much on Earth depends on the Sun. Could anything ever block its light? The tiny-looking Moon, surprisingly, can. When the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up just right, we get an eclipse. Let us see how.
The Sun, Moon, and Earth lined up for an eclipse.
What is an eclipse?
- An eclipse happens when one body blocks sunlight from another.
- The Moon is a natural satellite that orbits the Earth.
- The planets Mercury and Venus are too small to block the Sun.
- But the Moon can block the Sun's light reaching us.
Example:
The Moon revolves around the Earth even as the Earth revolves around the Sun, so they can line up to cause eclipses.
Solar eclipse
Lunar eclipse
Moon comes between Sun and Earth
Earth comes between Sun and Moon
Moon's shadow falls on Earth
Earth's shadow falls on Moon
Must not be viewed directly
Safe to watch with naked eye
Important Points
- An eclipse happens when one body blocks the Sun's light.
- The Moon can block the Sun even though it is small.
Important Definitions
- Eclipse — an event in which one body blocks sunlight from reaching another, as with the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
