Page 1 - Lesson Note-Eclipses

SAI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Class-6
Lesson Notes
Subject-Physics

Ch-Light, Shadow & Reflection
Subtopic- Eclipses

ECLIPSES:
l Eclipses are the shadows formed in nature.
l Formations of eclipses are also based on the principle of rectilinear propagation
of light.
l Eclipse can be divided into solar eclipse and lunar eclipse.

SOLAR ECLIPSE:
l When moon comes in between their sun and the earth, they all lie in a straight
line. The moon blocks the light of the sun from reaching earth and moon casts its
shadow on the earth. This phenomenon is known as solar eclipse.

l Solar eclipse always occurs on a new moon day.
l The region on earth that falls in the moon's umbra will witness a total solar
eclipse, i.e. total darkness.
l The region on the earth that falls in the moon's penumbra will witness a partial
solar eclipse, i.e. partial darkness.

Note:
l Caution: never look at the sun directly during a solar eclipse with unaided eyes.
This can cause permanent eye damage or blindness.
l Use protective eye filters to safely view an eclipse.

Lunar eclipse:
When the sun, earth and moon align in a straight line, earth is between then sun and
the moon. Earth block the light and casts its shadow on the moon. This phenomenon
is known as lunar eclipse.
• When the entire moon is in the earth's umbra, a total lunar eclipse is
observed.