1. On occasion, the Earth-Moon-Sun system is aligned such that the Earth or Moon casts a shadow partially or directly on the other body. These events are called eclipses. A lunar eclipse happens when the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is in a position where it blocks sunlight from getting to Earth.
A. Draw a Sun-Earth-Moon diagram for each kind of eclipse (lunar and solar). Make sure you draw your diagrams large enough for you to label the Sun, Moon, Earth, and the Moon and Earth’s shadow.
B. What must the phase of the Moon be during a lunar eclipse? During a solar eclipse?
C. The Earth is several times (about 4x) larger than the Moon, therefore it casts a much larger shadow than the Moon does. Based on this information, explain which type of eclipse would be visible to more people on Earth.
D. Which type of eclipse (lunar or solar) would last longer for a stationary person on Earth? Why?
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