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What is an eclipse? |
Space
An eclipse is a special event that happens up in the sky. It happens when light from the Sun or Moon is blocked from getting to Earth because a really big object gets in the way!
There are two types of eclipses. The first is called a “Solar Eclipse,” which means the Sun gets blocked. It's being blocked by the Moon! It might be strange to think about the Moon traveling through the sky during the day, but it does! Normally the light of the Sun is so bright that we can’t see it, but when the Moon gets right in front of the Sun, it blocks out sunlight and the sky will get dark!
Solar eclipses are pretty rare. They may only happen once every few years, and even then, you can’t see them from everywhere on Earth. The next total eclipse of the Sun visible from the continental United States won't be until August 21, 2017. Think about how old you'll be then and mark your calendars!
The second type of eclipse is called a “lunar eclipse” and that happens when the Moon’s light is blocked. What’s blocking the moon? The Earth’s shadow! If the Earth is directly between the Sun and the Moon, sunlight can’t reach the moon to make it shine! This type of eclipse is more commonly seen than solar eclipses. There's usually at least two each year.
Viewing a Solar Eclipse!
It’s always dangerous to look at the Sun even during an eclipse because the light is too bright for our eyes to handle. If you’re lucky enough to be in the right place when an eclipse is happening and want to see what’s happening in the sky you can try this at home:
Get two pieces of cardboard or heavy white paper. In one of the pieces, cut out a small hole and cover it with foil. Have a grown-up help you poke a hole in the center of the foil with a pin. That’s all you need to do! Go outside and hold the two pieces of cardboard so that the sunlight shines through the pinhole and onto the second sheet of cardboard. You’ll be able to see an image of what’s happening to the sunlight! The further away the two pieces of cardboard are, the bigger the image will get!
Eclipses are pretty interesting and cool to watch. They’re rare though so enjoy the special moment if you get to see one! Just remember, don’t look directly at the Sun!
This help me a lot so thank you and people should write a newsletter ABOUT space!!!!