Solar Eclipses - The Last Total Eclipse?

Now that you've explored solar eclipses, let's investigate if eclipses will ever stop. What do you think? Was there ever a first total solar eclipse? Check out this NASA Heliophysics Activation Team (HEAT) activity to learn more about solar eclipses. Part 3 of 3 activities on solar eclipses. NGSS MS-ESS1-1. Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons. HS-ESS1-4. Use mathematical or computational representations to predict the motion of orbiting objects in the solar system. HS-PS2-4. Use mathematical representations of Newton’s Law of Gravitation and Coulomb’s Law to describe and predict the gravitational and electrostatic forces between objects. Math Standards - Graphing equations and using the graphs to approximate solutions. 8.EE.C.8 - Analyze and solve pairs of simultaneous linear equations. 8.EE.C.8.A - Understand that solutions to a system of two linear equations in two variables correspond to points of intersection of their graphs, because points of intersection satisfy both equations simultaneously. 8.EE.C.8.B - Solve systems of two linear equations in two variables algebraically, and estimate solutions by graphing the equations. 8.EE.C.8.C - Solve real-world and mathematical problems leading to two linear equations in two variables. HSA.REI.C.6 - Solve systems of linear equations exactly and approximately (e.g., with graphs), focusing on pairs of linear equations in two variables. HSA.REI.C.7 - Solve a simple system consisting of a linear equation and a quadratic equation in two variables algebraically and graphically. For example, find the points of intersection between the line y = -3x and the circle x2 + y2 = 3. HSA.REI.D.10 - Understand that the graph of an equation in two variables is the set of all its solutions plotted in the coordinate plane, often forming a curve (which could be a line). HSA.REI.D.11 - Explain why the x-coordinates of the points where the graphs of the equations y = f(x) and y = g(x) intersect are the solutions of the equation f(x) = g(x); find the solutions approximately, e.g., using technology to graph the functions, make tables of values, or find successive approximations. Include cases where f(x) and/or g(x) are linear, polynomial, rational, absolute value, exponential, and logarithmic functions. This Product is supported by the NASA Heliophysics Education Activation Team (NASA HEAT), part of NASA’s Science Activation portfolio. The material contained in this document is based upon work supported by a National Aeronautics And Space Administration (NASA) grant or cooperative agreement. Any questions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASA.

By Luke Henke