Get a free trial until June 30, 2026!
New members get full access to our science units, hands-on activities, mini-lessons, & more!

New members get a full, free trial through June 2026!
Back > Share
Why does it get dark during a solar eclipse?
Back > Share

Why does it get dark during a solar eclipse?
Scroll for prep
Video trouble?

Discuss:

What's the biggest shadow you've ever seen?

Video trouble?

Here are a few options for observing the eclipse!

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, have your students follow our step-by-step activity to construct a pinhole projector. Click the arrow on the right to begin this activity.

If you have eclipse glasses, discuss safety procedures before distributing the glasses and observing the eclipse.

If it’s cloudy or you are unable to go outside, you can watch a live stream of the eclipse, courtesy of NASA. The livestream will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time on April 8, 2024.

Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
🎉 That’s it for this lesson! How did it go?
Sign up now for more great lessons!
Sign up

Grades K-5

Current Events And Trending Topics

Eclipses, Earth & Space Science

1941 reviews

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In the mini-lesson, students reflect on how shadows are made when light is blocked and connect this to the really BIG shadow the Moon makes during a total solar eclipse. In the activity, students work with a partner to create a solar eclipse viewer out of paper.
Preview activity
Eclipse Hole & Tilt printout Print 15 copies
Scissors
15 pairs
Prep Instructions

We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own.

Viewing the Eclipse

You can use this interactive map to find when the eclipse will begin and end at your location. Simply click anywhere on the map! If it’s cloudy or you are unable to go outside, you can watch NASA's live stream of the eclipse. The livestream will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time on April 8, 2024.

Exploration

10 mins

Hands-On Activity

20 mins

Grades K-5

Current Events And Trending Topics

Eclipses, Earth & Space Science

1941 reviews
Slow internet or video problems?
Credits
 
Why does it get dark during a solar eclipse?

How did the lesson go?
Terrible OK Good Great Terrific!

How can we improve it?

If you'd like our team to reply to you, please Contact Support instead.

Thanks for your feedback! If you have a question or need help, please contact us. Please consider sharing your review:

Sorry the lesson didn’t go well. We read every single review in an effort to improve our Mysteries.

Thanks for letting us know. We’ll wait to ask you for feedback until after you've actually taught it.

Thanks for the feedback! We read every single review in an effort to improve our Mysteries.

Is the video not playing properly?

Please follow these steps:

  1. Very rarely a video will fail to completely load in your browser. Try to reload this page to see if that fixes the problem.
  2. If reloading does not help, try our other video player .
  3. If the video still fails to play, open this video in a new tab and please let us know you’re having trouble. We want to fix this issue for you.

Close

How can we help you?

💡For purchasing info, see our Pricing Page

This episode is locked

This lesson is not included in your limited access.

View pricing

This episode is locked

Your membership is expired. The archive of past Mini Lessons is not included in your limited access.

View pricing