Eclipse, Dawn and Twilight - SS1 Geography Lesson Note

Eclipse:

An eclipse occurs when one celestial body, such as the Earth, the Moon, or the Sun, comes between another two, casting a shadow or blocking the view of one from the other.

There are two main types of eclipses:

Solar Eclipse: This happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on the Earth. It can result in a total eclipse (where the Sun is completely blocked), partial eclipse, or an annular eclipse (where the Sun appears as a ring).

Lunar Eclipse: This occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth's shadow to be cast on the Moon. This can result in a partial or total lunar eclipse.

Source:(exploatorium)

 

Dawn:

Dawn is the early part of the morning when the sun is just below the horizon and the sky is gradually getting lighter.

It marks the beginning of a new day and is characterized by the soft, diffused light that gradually illuminates the surroundings. Dawn is followed by sunrise when the sun becomes visible above the horizon.

 

Twilight:

Twilight is the period of time just before sunrise and just after sunset when the sky is not completely dark but is neither fully lit by the sun.

There are three phases of twilight:

Civil Twilight: This is the period when there is enough light for most outdoor activities, like reading without artificial lighting.

Nautical Twilight: During this phase, the horizon is still visible at sea, which is important for navigational purposes.

Astronomical Twilight: This is the darkest phase of twilight. The sky is dark enough for astronomers to observe celestial objects without interference from sunlight.

In summary, an eclipse involves the blocking of light from one celestial body by another, while dawn is the early morning period before sunrise, and twilight encompasses the phases of low light before sunrise and after sunset.