A Solar Eclipse is coming! Posterity- Blog Vol.4 #1
The last time the United States saw a total solar eclipse was in 1979 and on August 21, it will experience one again. In fact everyone in North and Central America and millions more in northern South America, will observe at least a partial eclipse.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon, as it is orbiting the earth, passes directly in between the earth and sun. This blocks the sun's light casting a shadow on the earth!
There are three types of solar eclipses. A total solar eclipse occurs when the earth, moon and sun are in a direct line. It impacts a small area on earth where the sun is blocked out so it looks as if night has fallen. A partial eclipse, is when the earth, moon and sun do not line up in a direct line. This results in the sun appearing to have a dark shadow on a small part of its surface. Lastly, there is an annular eclipse. This occurs when the moon is farther away from the earth and does not completely block out the sun's light. The affect here is the moon looking as if it has a bright ring around it! To read more about solar eclipses and for a cool video to share with your students, visit the Little Bins for Little Hands website!
According to the Great American Eclipse website here are ten great places to watch the eclipse!
Madras, Oregon
Snake River Valley, Idaho
Casper, Wyoming
Sandhills of western Nebraska
St. Joseph, Missouri
Carbondale, Illinois
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Nashville, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Columbia, South Carolina
Let's Create Our Own Solar Eclipse!
In this activity your students can create both a solar and lunar eclipse!
You will need:
flashlight
2 balls (2 different sizes)
a semi-dark room
For more information on this activity and to watch a video on solar eclipses please visit the Inspiration Laboratories website!
Bright & Smart offers hourly interdisciplinary hands-on sessions at your school. We travel to Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach School Districts. You choose the topics/subjects. We design the activity for your classroom according to your needs. Middle and High school electives are now being offered! Let us help you by using our curriculum to teach your students important S.T.E.A.M skills and prepare them for the future or even competitions!
