Kid’s Craic: The Ring of Fire
- John O'Brien
- March 29, 2024
- Edited 6 months ago
Table of Contents
By Megan Lardie
Depending on where you live, you might be lucky enough to experience the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024! The total eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean and will continue across North America and then Canada.
A partial eclipse will be visible throughout the rest of the contiguous (connected) United States. If you live in the direct path of the total eclipse, the entire process will last about two and a half hours!
What is an Eclipse?
An eclipse occurs when one object in space moves in front of another object and then it is blocked from view. Planets, moons, and other objects are in constant motion in space. As you know, the Earth travels around the Sun, and the Moon travels around the Earth, and all of those objects are constantly moving through space. An eclipse happens when 3 space objects line up in a row.
Solar vs. Lunar Eclipse
A solar eclipse, like the one happening on April 8th, occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth. This blocks the Sun’s light from reaching Earth. As the Moon moves in front of the Sun, the sky will slowly grow darker. If the Sun’s light is blocked completely, the Moon will appear as a black circle and there will be what looks like a ring of fire around the circle.
The ring is called the corona and is just the gases that surround the Sun. Because all these objects are still in motion, the sky will begin to lighten after a few minutes. It will only be called a total eclipse if the Sun appears dark.
If only part of the Sun appears dark, it will be called a partial eclipse. Looking directly at a solar eclipse can cause serious damage to your eyes. Make sure you have protective eyewear ready for the big day!
A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon. The Sun, Earth, and the Moon all line up with Earth in the middle. Unlike a solar eclipse, the Moon does not appear dark.
Instead, the Moon glows an orange or red color. This color is because some light reaches the Moon, and it bounces off the gases surrounding the Earth and then hits the Moon. Lunar eclipses can also be total or partial and are safe to be viewed directly.
Once in a Lifetime Opportunity
The next total solar eclipse that can be seen in the United States will not be until August 23, 2044! The last total solar eclipse in Ohio was in 1806 and the next one in Ohio will not be until September 14, 2099! This might be your only opportunity to experience this amazing phenomenon, so make the most of it!
KIDS IN THE KITCHEN
Grilled Veggie French Onion Flatbreads
Ingredients
- 2 naan flatbreads
- 1 yellow squash cut in half and then into moon slices.
- 1 portobello mushroom cap sliced.
- 8 asparagus spears, ends off and sliced into 1-inch pieces
- 1 red pepper seeded and sliced.
- ⅓ cup Kraft French Onion Dip
- olive oil
- salt and pepper.
Directions
- Arrange vegetables on a grill tray, lightly spray with olive oil, and sprinkle salt and pepper on top. Place on a preheated grill over medium heat, cover, and cook for 6-8 minutes or until tender. Remove from grill and set aside.
- Take 2 flatbreads, and spread about 1 TBS Kraft French Onion Dip on top of each. Arrange vegetables evenly on top of the dip, then dollop the remaining dip on top of the vegetables.
- Place on the grill, close, and cook for 3-5 minutes, checking to make sure they don’t burn. Remove and set aside for 2-5 minutes.
- Slice in half and serve immediately.
LITERATURE CORNER
SUN MOON EARTH: THE HISTORY OF SOLAR ECLIPSES FROM OMENS OF DOOM TO EINSTEIN AND EXOPLANETS
By Tyler Nordgren
In this book, the author illustrates how this most unnatural phenomenon has been transformed from a fearsome omen to a tourist attraction. Sun Moon Earth takes the reader around the world to show how different cultures interpreted these dramatic events. With beautiful pictures, this is a great guide for eclipse watchers and stargazers. For ages 10 and up, 264 pages
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE SPACE! ALL ABOUT OUR SOLAR SYSTEM
By Tish Rabe
Go on a trip to outer space with The Cat in the Hat. Learn all about the solar system, planets, constellations, and the wonders of space. A great book for aspiring astronauts and anyone who loves learning about the mystery of the universe. For ages 3-6, 48 pages
Q. What is a light-year?
A. Same as a regular year, but with fewer calories!
Q. I am sometimes full but never overflow. What am I?
A. The Moon
GAB IN GAELIC
Long life to you = Saol fada chugat (pron: sail faddah cookie)
Megan Lardie
*Megan is a Reading Intervention educator with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She has a BA from Hiram College and a BA+ from Ashland University. She resides in Avon Lake with her husband, Joe, and their five children. She can be reached at [email protected].
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