Calculating Ratios of an Eclipse Activity
Illustration of the position of the Earth's Moon at apogee (farthest point in its orbit) and perigee (closest point in its orbit).
NASA JPL/Caltech
Students calculate the ratio of the size of the Sun to the Moon and the distance of the Sun and Moon from Earth to determine the type of solar eclipse that is possible.
This activity teaches students how to use the My NASA Data website to access information about Earth's natural systems, including the relationship between Earth, the Moon, and the Sun that makes eclipses possible.