How does the Moon hide the Sun?
Line up the Sun, the Moon and the Earth
Light reaches the Earth
The moon does not allow light to pass through itself. That's why there is a shadow behind her, like behind a ball in front of a flashlight.
Usually this shadow passes by the Earth. The Moon's path is slightly inclined, and it rarely stands exactly in the path of the rays to our home.
Now the Moon is on the side. Look: light from the Sun reaches the Earth. Our house has not yet fallen into the moon's shadow.
The moon gets in the way of the light
Let's put the Moon between the Sun and our house. It will block the path for the rays. Her shadow will fall on the house - this is a solar eclipse.
The Moon is smaller than the Sun, but much closer to us. Therefore, it can close it from our eyes. So a close palm can obscure a distant lantern.
The sun didn't turn off! The Moon simply obscured him. Everything can be examined in experience. In real life, you cannot look directly at the Sun without special protection.
The eclipse ends
The moon is moving all the time. She does not remain in front of the Sun forever. Her shadow moves too.
Now the Moon has moved, and the rays have reached the house again. It became lighter. The eclipse is over.
The shadow covers only part of the Earth. Therefore, in one place an eclipse is visible, and in another the Sun can shine as usual.
For adults · discuss together
This is the eclipse model. In real life, people don’t look at the Sun without special protection.
Before experience
Ask: “What do you think will happen?” Let the child check his guess first.
After the experience
What has changed? What remains the same? Where can you notice a similar phenomenon?
