What is a solar eclipse? Solar Eclipse Animation Solar Eclipse Video A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in a direct line between Earth and the sun. The moon's shadow travels over the Earth's surface and blocks out the sun's light as seen from Earth.

UMBRA: Part of the moon’s shadow that is centralized UMBRA: Part of the moon’s shadow that is centralized. The sky will darken like night and there will be a total solar eclipse.(DARKER) PENUMBRA: Part of the moon’s shadow that is the outer region. Part of the sun will be block with a partial solar eclipse.(LESS DARK)

Why don’t we have a solar eclipse during each new moon?! Moon Tilt Animation The moon’s slight tilt (5o) in relation to Earth’s path. It is usually above or below the direct sight line to the sun.

A Real TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 1999, Salzburg, Austria

What is a lunar eclipse? Lunar Eclipse Animation Lunar Eclipse Video Basically, Earth's shadow blocks most of the sunlight from directly illuminating all -- or a portion -- of the moon's surface. The light bends causing a concentrated red color.

A Real LUNAR ECLIPSE 2008, in the US

Eclipse Facts The moon’s shadow moves at 1700 km/hour (1,048 mi/hr) . Maximum totality is approximately 7 ½ minutes. Every place on Earth will see a total solar eclipse about every 400 years. Solar eclipses occur more frequently than lunar eclipses ( by 5:3). There must be at least two solar eclipses every year. They can be total or partial Seven eclipses per year is the maximum: 4 solar, 3 lunar (1982, predicted 2485).