How do eclipses happen?
Quick Answer
An eclipse happens when one celestial body blocks light from another, creating a shadow. Solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, while lunar eclipses happen when Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon.
The Full Story
Eclipses are alignment events involving the Sun, Earth, and Moon. A solar eclipse can only happen at new moon, and a lunar eclipse can only happen at full moon, but they do not happen every month because the Moon’s orbit is tilted about 5 degrees relative to Earth’s orbit. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon can fully cover the Sun for a few minutes, producing darkness in a narrow path on Earth. Lunar eclipses are broader and can be seen from the entire night side of Earth, which is why they are visible to more people. Historically, eclipses helped astronomers test ideas about gravity and predict celestial motions with great precision.
Key Facts
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