Solar Eclipses
When the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight
Solar eclipse
The phase when the Moon is not visible from Earth
New Moon
The object that Earth orbits
The Sun
Groups of stars that form patterns in the sky
Constellations
The zodiac is a group of constellations along this path
The Sun’s path (ecliptic)
The darkest part of the Moon’s shadow during an eclipse
Umbra
The phase when the entire face of the Moon is lit
Full Moon
The object that orbits Earth
The Moon
A well-known constellation shaped like a hunter
Orion
How many zodiac constellations there are
12
A solar eclipse that does NOT completely cover the Sun
Partial solar eclipse
The phase after a full moon when it begins to shrink
Waning
What causes day and night
Earth’s rotation
The Big Dipper is part of this larger constellation
Ursa Major
A zodiac constellation represented by a lion
Leo
Why we cannot look directly at a solar eclipse without protection
It can damage your eyes
The phase when half the Moon is visible and growing
First Quarter
What causes the Moon’s phases
The position of the Moon relative to Earth and Sun
Why constellations appear to move in the sky
Earth rotates
A zodiac constellation represented by a scorpion
Scorpio
The rare type of solar eclipse where the Sun looks like a ring
Annular eclipse
The term for when the Moon is increasing in illumination
Waxing
What causes a lunar eclipse
Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon
Why different constellations are visible in different seasons
Earth revolves around the Sun
Why zodiac constellations are important in astronomy
They mark the path the Sun appears to travel through the sky