A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth,
blocking the Sun’s light either partially or totally for a short time.
Basic Alignment (Very Important)
Sun – Moon – Earth (in a straight line)
This alignment is called Syzygy.
When does a Solar Eclipse occur?
• Only on a New Moon day (Amavasya)
• When the Moon is near one of the lunar nodes
Why not every New Moon causes an eclipse?
• Moon’s orbit is tilted about 5° to Earth’s orbit
Types of Solar Eclipse
• Total Solar Eclipse → Moon completely covers the Sun (Umbra)
• Partial Solar Eclipse → Sun partly covered (Penumbra)
• Annular Solar Eclipse → Ring of fire appearance (Antumbra)
• Hybrid Solar Eclipse → Total at some places, annular at others
Shadow Regions
• Umbra → Total eclipse
• Penumbra → Partial eclipse
• Antumbra → Annular eclipse
Duration & Visibility
• Lasts only a few minutes
• Visible from limited areas of Earth
Solar vs Lunar Eclipse
Solar Eclipse → New Moon, unsafe to see directly
Lunar Eclipse → Full Moon, safe to view