Eclipses

Eclipse Concept Survey

Use this instrument as a pre/post tool to reveal student thinking about describing solar versus lunar eclipses, what is observed during a solar eclipse, how location of the observer affects what is observed, the times of day/night when eclipses can be observed, and the geometry of the Earth, Sun, and Moon during solar eclipses. This activity is appropriate for high school and university introductory astronomy courses.

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Tutorial: Modeling Eclipses

This hands-on, guided-inquiry activity helps students to understand the geometry of lunar and solar eclipses by creating a physical, proportional model of the Earth and Moon system and observing shadows. This activity is appropriate for high school and university introductory astronomy courses.

Eclipse Science Digi Kit

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Tutorial: Eclipse Geometry

This guided inquiry paper-and-pencil activity helps students to understand the geometry of solar eclipses by drawing proportional sketches of the Earth and Moon system from various perspectives. This activity is appropriate for high school and university introductory astronomy courses.

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Tutorial: Reading Eclipse Maps

This tutorial guides students to interpret information displayed on a solar eclipse map, supported through the use of a digital simulation and a hands-on activity with a lamp, Earth globe, and model clay Moon. This activity is appropriate for high school and university introductory astronomy courses.

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Concept Questions: Eclipse Fundamentals

These simple questions with selected responses test specific concepts relating to geometry of the Earth, Sun, and Moon as well as observations of solar eclipses. These questions are appropriate for high school and university introductory astronomy courses.

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Homework Questions: Eclipse Fundamentals

These open-ended homework prompts encourage students to reveal their thinking about eclipses and help familiarize them with the frequency and location of visible eclipses. These questions are appropriate for high school and university introductory astronomy courses.

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Concept Questions: Geometrical Optics

These questions with selected response answers test specific concepts relating to geometrical optics (factors that affect the size of the umbra and penumbra, apparent and angular size of an object or image).  These questions are appropriate for university introductory astronomy and physics courses in which eclipses are discussed in the context of orbital motion.

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Homework Questions: Geometrical Optics & Angular Momentum

These open-ended homework prompts encourage students to reveal their thinking about the geometry of eclipses and the duration of the "eclipse season." These questions are appropriate for university introductory astronomy and physics courses in which eclipses are discussed in the context of orbital motion.

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