❓ why
Why is there a solar eclipse only sometimes?
AstronomyEclipses
Quick Answer
Eclipses need the Sun, Moon, and Earth to line up just right, and the Moon’s orbit is tilted about 5 degrees, so perfect alignment is rare.
The Full Story
Although the Moon circles Earth every month, its orbit is tilted relative to Earth’s path around the Sun. Most new moons pass slightly above or below the Sun from our viewpoint, so no eclipse occurs. Only when a new moon crosses the right orbital node at the right time do we get a solar eclipse. Because of this geometry, total solar eclipses happen somewhere on Earth only about once every 18 months on average, though any one location sees them far less often.
Key Facts
1.Moon orbit tilted by about 5 degrees
2.Total solar eclipses somewhere on Earth: about every 18 months
3.Need alignment at a lunar node
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"Why solar eclipses are so rare and perfectly timed."