练习 | VOA慢速:天文观测者期待 “超级蓝血月”

练习 | VOA慢速:天文观测者期待 “超级蓝血月”

3.9分钟 2217 127wpm

天文观测者期待 “超级蓝血月”。

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VOA慢速英语:Sky watchers prepare for the "super blue blood moon"
天文观测者期待 “超级蓝血月”

燕山大学 刘立军 宋葳 编写

◆TRANSCRIPT


This is What's Trending Today.

The moon is providing a rare triple treat this week.

On Wednesday, much of the world will get to see not only a blue moon and a “supermoon,” but also a total lunar eclipse.

Having all three events taking place at the same time is extremely unusual. Astronomers say this has not happened since 1982. And it won't happen again until 2037.

A total lunar eclipse happens when the Earth comes between the Sun and a full moon. The Earth blocks the sun's light, making the moon appear dark in the sky.

The eclipse will be easiest to see in the western half of the United States and Canada before the moon sets early Wednesday morning. It will also be visible across the Pacific Ocean into East Asia as the moon rises Wednesday night into Thursday.

The U.S. East Coast, however, is out of luck. The moon will be setting just as the eclipse gets started. Europe, most of Africa and South America also will miss out.

A blue moon is a second full moon in one month. It is rare enough that English speakers use the expression “once in a blue moon” to describe something that does not happen often!

A supermoon is a full or new moon. It appears brighter and bigger than usual because the moon is closer to the earth than usual.

In a total lunar eclipse, the Earth covers the moon's surface with its shadow, giving it a red-like color. For that reason, it is also known as a “blood moon.”

Some people are calling this week's lunar event a “super blue blood moon.”

Noah Petro is a scientist with the American space agency NASA. He is calling the lunar event, “the Super Bowl of moons.”

No matter the name, it is likely to impress if the skies are clear.

As the sun lines up perfectly with the Earth and then the moon for the eclipse, scientists will make observations from a telescope in Hawaii. They are also planning to collect information from NASA's moon-circling Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Just as last August's total solar eclipse cooled the Earth's surface, a lunar eclipse cools the surface of the moon. It's this sudden cooling from the heat of direct sunlight to almost a deep freeze that researchers will be studying.
And that's What's Trending Today.

I'm Ashley Thompson.

Adapted from 超级蓝血月

◆VOCABULARY

1. triple v. to become, or to make sth., three times as much or as many 成为三倍;使增至三倍。例如:Output should triple by next year. 到明年产量应增至三倍。

2. eclipse n. (可数名词) an occasion when the moon passes between the earth and the sun so that you cannot see all or part of the sun for a time; an occasion when the earth passes between the moon and the sun so that you cannot see all or part of the moon for a time 日食;月食。例如:
○an eclipse of the sun / moon日食;月食
○a total / partial eclipse 全食;偏食

3. Super Bowl n. an American football game played every year to decide the winner of the National Football League (美国)超级碗橄榄球赛

◆QUESTIONS
Listen to the news and choose the best answer to each question you hear.

(Q1) When will the lunar event of the “super blue blood moon” happen again?
(A) In 2034.
(B) In 2035.
(C) In 2036.
(D) In 2037.

(Q2) When will a total lunar eclipse happen?
(A) When the Sun comes between the Earth and a full moon.
(B) When the Earth comes between the Sun and a full moon.
(C) When the Moon comes near the Sun and the Earth.
(D) When the Earth comes near the Sun and a full moon.

(Q3) Which two continents will totally miss out this lunar event?
(A) Europe and South America.
(B) Europe and Africa.
(C) Africa and South America.
(D) North America and South America.

(Q4) What's a blue moon?
(A) It's the first full moon in one month and it's rare.
(B) It's a second full moon in one month and it's rare.
(C) It's a third full moon in one month and it's not rare.
(D) It's a fourth full moon in one month and it's not rare.

(Q5) Why does a full moon appear brighter and bigger than usual?
(A) Because the moon is further to the earth than usual.
(B) Because the moon is closer to the sun than usual.
(C) Because the moon is closer to the earth than usual.
(D) Because the moon is further to the sun than usual.

(Q6) What are the researchers going to study next?
(A) Sudden cooling to the moon caused by the solar eclipse.
(B) Sudden cooling to the earth caused by the lunar and solar eclipse.
(C) Sudden cooling to the earth caused by the lunar and solar eclipse.
(D) Sudden cooling to the moon caused by the lunar eclipse.

◆KEY

(Q1) D。细节题。命题出处:Having all three events taking place at the same time is extremely unusual. Astronomers say this has not happened since 1982. And it won't happen again until 2037.

(Q2) B。细节题。命题出处:A total lunar eclipse happens when the Earth comes between the Sun and a full moon. The Earth blocks the sun's light, making the moon appear dark in the sky.

(Q3) A。细节题。命题出处:The U.S. East Coast, however, is out of luck. The moon will be setting just as the eclipse gets started. Europe, most of Africa and South America also will miss out.

(Q4) B。细节题。命题出处:A blue moon is a second full moon in one month. It is rare enough that English speakers use the expression “once in a blue moon” to describe something that does not happen often!

(Q5) C。细节题。命题出处:A supermoon is a full or new moon. It appears brighter and bigger than usual because the moon is closer to the earth than usual.

(Q6) D。推断题。命题出处:Just as last August's total solar eclipse cooled the Earth's surface, a lunar eclipse cools the surface of the moon. It's this sudden cooling from the heat of direct sunlight to almost a deep freeze that researchers will be studying.

  • 时长:3.9分钟
  • 语速:127wpm
  • 来源:刘立军 宋葳 2018-04-02