Student Exploration: 3D Eclipse Test
Name: ______________________________________ Date: ________________________
Student Exploration: 3D Eclipse
Vocabulary: eclipse, lunar eclipse, path of totality, penumbra, solar eclipse, umbra
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
1. Have you ever seen an eclipse? If so, describe what you well vary.
2. About how often do you think eclipses happen? Well vary.
Gizmo Warm-up
If you see a two-dimensional image of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, you might predict that an eclipse occurs every time the Moon passes in front of or behind Earth, or about twice a month. However, eclipses occur much more rarely.
The 3D Eclipse Gizmo™ shows two views of the Earth, Moon, and Sun: a top view (above) and a side view (below). The sizes of the Earth, Moon, and Sun are not to scale. (If they were, the Earth and Moon would be microscopic!)
1. Set the speed slider to a middle value, and click Play (). Based on what you see in the top view on the SIMULATION pane, describe the motions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
_ The Moon goes around Earth in a counterclockwise orbit. Earth rotates.
Activity A:
Solar eclipse
Get the Gizmo ready:
Click Reset.
Under Shadows, select Moon.
Set the Moon angle to 0.0°.
Introduction: There are two parts to the Moon’s shadow. The umbra is the central, darkest portion of the shadow. An observer standing in the umbra cannot see the Sun. The penumbra surrounds the umbra. An observer in the penumbra sees part of the Sun. Only the umbra is shown in the 3D Eclipse Gizmo.
Question: What controls whether a solar eclipse will occur?
1. Observe: Click Play and then Pause () when the Moon is directly between the Earth and Sun. (If you go too far, you can click the Back button to step back.)
A. What do you notice about the Moon’s shadow? The Sun..... In this case the shadow of the Earth falls upon the Moon, making it dark.
2. Observe: Set the speed to a lower setting and click
Student Exploration: 3D Eclipse
Vocabulary: eclipse, lunar eclipse, path of totality, penumbra, solar eclipse, umbra
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
1. Have you ever seen an eclipse? If so, describe what you well vary.
2. About how often do you think eclipses happen? Well vary.
Gizmo Warm-up
If you see a two-dimensional image of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, you might predict that an eclipse occurs every time the Moon passes in front of or behind Earth, or about twice a month. However, eclipses occur much more rarely.
The 3D Eclipse Gizmo™ shows two views of the Earth, Moon, and Sun: a top view (above) and a side view (below). The sizes of the Earth, Moon, and Sun are not to scale. (If they were, the Earth and Moon would be microscopic!)
1. Set the speed slider to a middle value, and click Play (). Based on what you see in the top view on the SIMULATION pane, describe the motions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
_ The Moon goes around Earth in a counterclockwise orbit. Earth rotates.
Activity A:
Solar eclipse
Get the Gizmo ready:
Click Reset.
Under Shadows, select Moon.
Set the Moon angle to 0.0°.
Introduction: There are two parts to the Moon’s shadow. The umbra is the central, darkest portion of the shadow. An observer standing in the umbra cannot see the Sun. The penumbra surrounds the umbra. An observer in the penumbra sees part of the Sun. Only the umbra is shown in the 3D Eclipse Gizmo.
Question: What controls whether a solar eclipse will occur?
1. Observe: Click Play and then Pause () when the Moon is directly between the Earth and Sun. (If you go too far, you can click the Back button to step back.)
A. What do you notice about the Moon’s shadow? The Sun..... In this case the shadow of the Earth falls upon the Moon, making it dark.
2. Observe: Set the speed to a lower setting and click