A solar eclipse happens when the Moon positions itself between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow over our planet.

These astronomical events only occur during the New Moon phase, usually about twice a year. In this specific alignment, the Moon manages to obscure the Sun, as NASA explains.

The different types of solar eclipses

There are four main classifications of solar eclipses, which depend directly on how the Sun, Moon and Earth align during the event:

• Total solar eclipse:The Sun is completely covered by the Moon.
• Partial solar eclipse:The Moon does not completely block the Sun, covering only a part of it. In this case, the Moon appears to “bite” a slice of the Sun.
• Annular solar eclipse:The Moon is positioned centrally in front of the Sun, but does not cover its entire surface, creating a luminous “ring of fire” around the Moon.
• Hybrid solar eclipse:Considered the rarest, this type combines characteristics of a total and annular eclipse. It is produced when the Moon’s shadow moves across the Earth, starting as one type of eclipse and then transforming into another.

How and why solar eclipses happen

The occurrence of a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, creating a shadow over our planet.

When the Moon crosses the ecliptic, which is the Earth’s orbital plane, the phenomenon is known as the lunar node. The distance at which the New Moon approaches this node will determine the type of solar eclipse. The distance of the Moon from the Earth and the distance between the Earth and the Sun also influence the type of eclipse observed.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Sun and the Earth, completely obscuring the Sun’s face. These eclipses are possible because the Sun’s diameter is approximately 400 times larger than the Moon’s, but it is also about 400 times further away, as pointed out by the Natural History Museum.

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, being close to its furthest point from our planet. At this distance, the Moon appears to be smaller than the Sun, not covering its entire surface. Instead, a ring of light is formed around the Moon.

A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon are not perfectly aligned. In this way, only the penumbra, the partial shadow of the Moon, reaches the Earth, causing the Sun to be partially obscured.

A hybrid solar eclipse, in turn, is a rare event that happens when the Moon’s distance from Earth approaches the limits for the umbra, the inner shadow, to reach our planet, and also due to the Earth’s curvature. These are also known as annular-total (A-T) eclipses. Generally, the hybrid eclipse begins as annular, as the tip of the umbra does not touch the Earth; then, it becomes total because the curvature of the planet intercepts the tip of the shadow in the middle of the path, and finally returns to annularity near the end of the path.

Learn more: Solar eclipse: see types, causes and how to observe the phenomenon safely

The frequency of solar eclipses

We experience an eclipse season approximately twice a year. It is during this period that the New Moon aligns to eclipse the Sun. However, solar eclipses do not occur every New Moon, because the Moon’s orbit is tilted by about 5 degrees to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. For this reason, the Moon’s shadow usually passes above or below the Earth.

What happens during a solar eclipse

The dark circle of the Moon covers part of the Sun during the phenomenon.

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded a solar eclipse on June 29, 2022.

The type of solar eclipse directly influences what is seen by observers. According to the educational website SpaceEdge Academy, 28% of solar eclipses are total, 35% are partial, 32% are annular and only 5% are hybrid.

During a total solar eclipse, the sky darkens and observers, using appropriate safety equipment, can see the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona. This is an exciting target for sun watchers, as the corona is typically obscured by the intense glare of the sun’s face.

In an annular solar eclipse, the Moon does not completely hide the face of the Sun, unlike what happens in a total eclipse. Instead, it appears dramatically as a dark disk that obscures a larger bright disk, creating the appearance of a ring of light around the Moon. These eclipses are popularly called “rings of fire.”

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Partial solar eclipses cause the Moon to appear to “bite” the Sun. Because the Sun, Earth, and Moon are not perfectly aligned, only a portion of the Sun will be obscured by the Moon. When a total or annular solar eclipse occurs, observers outside the area covered by the Moon’s umbra (the inner shadow) will see a partial eclipse.

During a hybrid solar eclipse, observers may see an annular or total eclipse, depending on their geographic location.

Questions and answers about solar eclipses with an expert

Jamie Carter, science journalist and author, is an expert on solar eclipses and answered frequently asked questions on the topic.

Jamie Carter is recognized for his work as a science journalist and author in the field of solar eclipses.

On the same topic: Total solar eclipse show on August 12, 2026: check out where to observe safely

What happens during a solar eclipse?

During a solar eclipse, the New Moon completely or partially covers the Sun, Jamie Carter explained. He describes a partial solar eclipse as an event of moderate interest, requiring eye protection and solar filters. A total solar eclipse, however, is a much grander and more complex spectacle. As the last ray of sunlight disappears, the temperature drops, twilight sets in, and once 100% eclipsed, the Sun’s white corona reveals itself to the naked eye. It’s an intense experience that can change people’s lives, said the expert.

What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?

In a solar eclipse, the New Moon positions itself between the Earth and the Sun, partially or completely blocking sunlight, Jamie Carter reported. In a lunar eclipse, the Earth is between the Sun and the Full Moon, placing the Moon in the Earth’s shadow. The only light that reaches the lunar surface is filtered by the Earth’s atmosphere, creating the effect of a thousand simultaneously projected sunsets, which turn it a coppery-orange color.

What is the distinction between a central and partial solar eclipse?

When the Moon crosses the Sun, a cone-shaped shadow casts behind it, explained Jamie Carter. If the tip of this cone barely touches the Earth, a partial solar eclipse is visible. When the tip reaches the Earth’s surface, a dark and narrow shadow is formed, from which it is possible to observe a total solar eclipse. On either side of this “path of totality”, a partial solar eclipse can also be seen.

When will the next solar eclipse be?

The next solar eclipse will be annular and will occur on February 6, 2027, Jamie Carter reported. The next total solar eclipse, in turn, is scheduled for August 2, 2027.

Are solar eclipses dangerous?

Solar eclipses are dangerous if observing the Sun is not done safely, warned Jamie Carter.

One should never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection, he continued. It is not safe to stare at the sun’s rays, even if the Sun is partially obscured, as they contain harmful ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) rays that can damage the eye’s retina and even cause blindness.

Ordinary sunglasses should never be used to observe the Sun. The only safe way to look directly at the Sun is through solar filters designed specifically for this purpose, using solar eclipse glasses for direct viewing and solar filters for telescopes and binoculars, the expert said.

A safe way to view a solar eclipse is to build a “pinhole camera.” In it, a small hole is used to form an image of the Sun on a screen placed about 1 meter behind the opening. Binoculars or a good telescope mounted on a tripod can also be used to project a magnified image of the Sun onto a white card. The further away from the card, the larger the image can be focused. You can look for sunspots and notice that the Sun appears a little darker at its edge. This method of solar viewing is safe as long as you remember not to look through binoculars or a telescope when they are pointed at the Sun; in other words, never look directly at the Sun when any part of its blindingly bright surface is visible.

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A variation of the pinhole camera is the “pinhole mirror”. Cover a pocket mirror with a piece of paper that has a 7mm hole in it. Open a window facing the Sun and place the covered mirror on the sunny sill so that it reflects a disc of light on the opposite interior wall. The disc of light is an image of the face of the Sun. The further from the wall, the better; the image will be only 3 centimeters for every 3 meters away from the mirror. Modeling clay works well to keep the mirror in place. Experiment with different hole sizes in the paper. Again, a large hole makes the image bright but blurry, and a small one makes it dim but sharp. Darken the room as much as possible. Be sure to test this first to ensure the optical quality of the mirror is good enough to project a clean, round image. Avoid letting anyone look at the Sun in the mirror.

If you are near shady trees, notice the shadow they cast during partial phases. You’ll see dozens of partially eclipsed suns projected through pinhole-like gaps between the leaves. This is caused by diffraction, a property of light. According to Vince Huegele, an optical physicist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, light rays do not go in a straight line around the edge of gaps or a pinhole, but rather curve around the edge. This wave effect creates a pattern of rings that resembles a target.