Eclipses

Eclipses involving the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon are rare since the Moon does not orbit the Earth in the same plane the Earth orbits the Sun. If the Moon is new or full, and at the same time it passes through the ecliptic plane, an eclipse will occur. If at this time, the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, a solar eclipse occurs. The shadow of the Moon falls upon the surface of the Earth. If at this time, the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun, a lunar eclipse occurs. The Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow. Solar eclipses are classified as total, partial, or annular. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon covers the entire Sun as viewed from the surface of the Earth. During a partial or annular eclipse, the Moon does not cover the entire Sun. During an annular solar eclipse, the center of the Moon passes over the center of the Sun, but the Moon is too far away in its elliptical orbit to obscure the entire Sun.