Activities

1. Define solar eclipse.
   
   
2. Define orbit.
   
   
3. How many hours does it take for the Earth to complete 1 rotation (360°)?
   
   
4. How many days does it take for the Earth to complete 1 orbit around the Sun?

5. Answer the questions about rotations below:
   
   
   1. Explain the relationship of the Moon to the planet Earth.
   2. Explain the relationship of the Earth to the Sun.
   3. Compare and contrast your responses for question “a” and “b.”
      
      
6. Draw 3 possible phases of the Moon.

7. What would happen if the Earth no longer rotated around the Sun? Write a short response explaining what would happen.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. A solar eclipse is an eclipse in which the sun is obscured by the moon.
   
   
2. An orbit is the curved path around a star, planet, or moon.
   
   
3. 24 hours
   
   
4. 365 days

5. Acceptable responses might include, but are not limited to:
   
   
   1. The Earth’s moon orbits around the Earth, completing its rotation every 27 days.
   2. The Earth orbits around the Sun, completing its rotation every 365 days.
   3. Similarities include the elliptical shape of the orbit, and both orbits follow a pattern. Differences include the length of rotation.
      
      
6. Student should draw any of the following phases:

• New Moon
• Full Moon
• Crescent Moon
• Quarter Moon
• Gibbous moon

7. Acceptable responses might include, but are not limited to:

• One hemisphere of the Earth would be in darkness/night, while the opposite would be in light/day
• The seasons would not occur