How to explain to children what a solar eclipse is
Many phenomena that occur in nature draw children's attention and make them wonder why they happen and how they are produced. Like the phases of the moon , the reason for tornadoes or different natural whys, children are also attracted to the sun and all that is theirs. One of the great children's q
Many phenomena that occur in nature draw children's attention and make them wonder why they happen and how they are produced. Like the phases of the moon, the reason for tornadoes or different natural whys, children are also attracted to the sun and all that is theirs.
One of the great children's questions has to do with the solar eclipses, which do not occur too often but which make the little ones want to know how they are produced and why.
5 children's questions about the solar eclipse
1.What is a solar eclipse? An eclipse in general terms occurs thanks to three fundamental protagonists in the sky: the moon, the planet Earth and the sun. The solar eclipse is that which occurs when the moon covers the sun so that we do not see its brightness, and makes us see it obscured because we are on Earth, and the moon has interposed between our planet and Sun. 2.
When does a solar eclipse occur?We have to be clear that it is the moon that 'covers' the sun and casts its shadow on the Earth, but as to when this phenomenon occurs, this could only happen when the moon is new. That is, a waning or rising moon could never block the sun and produce an eclipse.3.
What types of solar eclipse exist?Although the new moon is responsible for carrying out this process, it can not always completely cover the sun, so we would be facing different types of eclipses of the sun . The first of these is thepartial solar eclipse , which leaves the sun as if it were the crescent moon, since it only covers a little. Another eclipse is the semipartral solar, which is relatively larger than the partial but which does not cover the sun at all. Then we would find the total solar eclipse, in which from the perspective of the Earth, the moon has completely darkened the sun. Finally, there is the annular solar eclipse que, which leaves a ring of the sun visible from our planet.4. ¿How is a solar eclipse different from a lunar eclipse? For aneclipse produ to occur, both the Sun and the Moon must have an approximate distance to the planet Earth. Each of them is produced separately, and we already know that when a solar eclipse occurs, the moon is responsible for 'covering' the sun facing the earth. In the case of lunar eclipses, it is the planet Earth that
interposes between the sun and the moon, obscuring it. This can only happen with full moon, since it will be at this moment when the Earth manages to establish the shadow over it. 5. How often is there a solar eclipse?This is one of the most common questions in children. Once you know what a eclipse of the sunis, how it is produced, when and why, the relative questions about the next time you can enjoy it are the most repeated. It is important to know that
each year there are two sun eclipses. This phenomenon is repeated twice each year due to the position of the sun and the Earth in new moon. It is very important to know that a solar eclipsecan not be seen without the help of a telescope or approved glasses, since it can seriously damage the eyesight. For the two times a year that this special natural phenomenon occurs, it is convenient to have some of these devices so that our sight does not suffer any damage.
