eclipse

Everyday

1. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth and blocks the Sun's light. tree →
2. A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon and its shadow falls on the Moon. tree →
3. To eclipse something is to make it seem less important by being much better. tree →

In the lessons

In science, eclipses happen because the Sun, Earth and Moon line up; they show how shadows work. In safety, NEVER look straight at the Sun, even during a solar eclipse — it can blind you; use special eclipse glasses or a pinhole viewer. A lunar eclipse is safe to watch and can make the Moon look red. Phrases: «total eclipse», «partial eclipse».

Examples

• We watched the solar eclipse through special glasses. tree →
• During a total eclipse the sky goes dark. tree →
• A lunar eclipse can make the Moon look red. tree →
• Never look directly at the Sun during an eclipse. tree →
• Make a pinhole viewer to see the eclipse safely. tree →
• An eclipse happens when the Sun, Moon and Earth line up. tree →
• Her new record eclipsed the old one. tree →
• The birds went quiet during the eclipse. tree →
• May not, asks Mr. Batten, the Pancavudha Jataka be an idealised account of an eclipse of the moon? tree →

Note

Countable; «an eclipse». Spelled with «-ipse». Solar = Sun, lunar = Moon. Myth: a solar eclipse is dangerous because of special rays — no, the danger is simply staring at the Sun.