Page 36 - Geography for Secondary Schools Student’s Book Form One

Geography for Secondary Schools
Student’s Book Form One
(v) Eclipses

An eclipse is a total or partial obstruction of light from the sun by either the earth or the
moon. This occurs when the earth or the moon intercepts light from the sun. There are
two types of eclipses: the lunar eclipse and the solar eclipse.

(a) Lunar eclipse
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
The lunar eclipse is also known as the eclipse of the Moon. It occurs when the Earth
passes between the moon and the Sun, thus casting its shadow on the moon (Figure 3.8).
Earth
Moon

Sun

Figure 3.8: Lunar eclipse

of its surface are illuminated by the Sun.
Activity 3.7 The portion of the Moon facing the Sun is

Search for information from the library lit, while the portion facing away from the
and other reliable online sources about Sun is in darkness. The angle at which we
the phases of the moon. see the illuminated portion of the Moon
changes depending on Earth’s position in its
orbit. As the Earth orbits the Sun, the Sun’s
Phases of the moon light falls on different parts of the Moon’s
The relationship between the earth’s surface, causing the Moon’s appearance to
revolution around the Sun and the phases change over time. As the Moon orbits the
of the Moon is what gives rise to the lunar Earth, a sequence of phases is observed
cycle and the changing appearance of the namely new moon, waning crescent, first
Moon as observed from the Earth. Moon quarter (waxing half), waxing gibbous,
develops different shapes or appearances full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter
as seen from Earth. It takes 29½ days to (waning half), waning crescent (Figure 3.9).
complete one cycle to revolve around As the moon revolves around the Earth, its
the Earth. The phases are a result of the illuminated part lights the earth during the
changing positions of the Moon, Earth, and night. Also, the gravitational force of the
Sun relative to each other during revolution. moon on the Earth causes tides in the Earth
As the Moon orbits the Earth, different parts surface waters.

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