Visit the
Molecular Expressions Website

Galleria
Photo Gallery
Silicon Zoo
Chip Shots
Screen Savers
Museum
Web Resources
Primer
Java Microscopy
Win Wallpaper
Mac Wallpaper
Publications
Custom Photos
Image Use
Contact Us
Search
Home

Solar Eclipse

During a solar eclipse, the shadow of the Moon passes over the surface of the Earth. From the Earth, we can see the moon blocking the light of the Sun.

Click on the manual button then use the slider to control the movement of the moon.

Looking at the demonstration above, you may think that solar eclipses happen very often. The Sun, Earth, and Moon must be lined up just right, in order for a solar eclipse to take place. This happens only two to five times a year. Since the Moon's shadow is so small, compared to the size of the Earth, a solar eclipse can be seen from only small portions of the Earth.

For a fun shadow activity, visit our Shadowbox Theatre activity site.

Questions or comments? Send us an email.
© 1995-2022 by Michael W. Davidson, Kirill I. Tchourioukanov, and The Florida State University. All Rights Reserved. No images, graphics, software, scripts, or applets may be reproduced or used in any manner without permission from the copyright holders. Use of this website means you agree to the Legal Terms and Conditions set forth by the owners.
This website is maintained by our
Graphics & Web Programming Team
in collaboration with Optical Microscopy at the
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
Last modification: Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at 04:31 PM
Access Count Since December 24, 1999: 187104
Visit the websites of our partners in education: