Interactive Models

Explore Solar Eclipses

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Overview

In this activity students will make observations about the objects, size, distance, and motion of the Sun, Earth, and Moon during a solar eclipse and manipulate slides to show the relationships.

Directions

Remember to never look directly at the Sun without proper safety equipment.

Make observations about the objects, size, distance, and motion of the Sun, Earth, and Moon during a solar eclipse and manipulate slides to show the relationships.

Procedure:

  1. Open the Explore Solar Eclipses slide deck.
  2. Use the slides in "edit" mode so you can move items on the screen.
  3. Read the content and follow the directions to move images.
  4. Submit results as directed by your instructor. 

Teacher Note

Teachers who are interested in receiving the answer key, please complete the Teacher Key Request and Verification Form. We verify that requestors are teachers prior to sending access to the answer keys as we’ve had many students try to pass as teachers to gain access.

NASA Heliophysics Education Activation Team logo showing the Sun with rays leaving it. It also shows planets in the path of some of the Sun's radiation.
This product is supported by the NASA Heliophysics Education Activation Team (NASA HEAT), part of NASA's Science Activation portfolio.

Supported NGSS Performance Expectations

Model the relationship between the Sun, moon and Earth during a solar eclipse.

What is a solar eclipse?

  • Internet Required
  • One-to-One (tablet, laptop, or CPU)
  • One-to-a-Group
  • Teacher computer/projector only

Interactive Files

Grade Band

  • 6-8

Time

  • 30 minutes

My NASA Data Visualization Tool

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