Launchpad: Solar Eclipses
Join NASA to learn more about solar eclipses, especially the awe-inspiring phenomenon of total eclipses. Find out about the unique geometry and the distances and sizes of the sun and moon as seen from Earth that allow us to witness the sun's corona or actually be in the path of totality.
Discussion and writing prompts
1. A solar eclipse only occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth line up in a very specific way. Why don't solar eclipses happen every month, even though the Moon orbits Earth once each month?
2. For centuries, scientists have used solar eclipses to learn more about the Sun. Why do eclipses provide opportunities to make observations that are difficult or impossible at other times?
3. Watching a solar eclipse is exciting, but it also requires special safety precautions. Why is it important to follow safe viewing practices, and how do these precautions allow people to make meaningful scientific observations without risking their eyesight?
Background Information
Grades 3 through 8
- NASA Space Place Eclipse (website)
- PBS Learning Media Solar Eclipses (website)
Grades 3 through 12
- NASA Solar Eclipse Safety (website)
Grades 5 through 8
- NASA What is an Eclipse? (website)
Grades 6 through 12
- NASA Solar System Exploration: Eclipses. (website)
- NASA Why Do Eclipses Happen? (webpage)
- NASA Types of Solar Eclipses (webpage)
- NASA GSFC NASA Eclipse Web Site (website)
- NASA Solar System Exploration: Future Eclipses (website)
Activities
Grades K through 9
- NASA JPL How to Make a Pinhole Camera (website)
Grades K through 12
- National Geographic Solar Eclipse Viewer (website)
- NASA Solar Eclipse Resources (webpage)
Grades 3 through 8
- NASA JPL Model a Solar Eclipse (webpage)
Grades 3 through 12
- My NASA Data Featured Solar Eclipse Mini Lessons (webpage)
Grades 6 through 12
- NASA Our Dynamic Sun Toolkit (webpage)
- My NASA Data Solar Eclipse Interactives (webpage)