Articles About Eclipses (36)
Total Solar Eclipse
Total solar eclipses occur when the New Moon comes between the Sun and Earth and casts the darkest part of its shadow, the umbra, on Earth.
What Is a Solar Eclipse?
Solar eclipses happen when the Moon moves between Sun and Earth, blocking the Sun's rays and casting a shadow on Earth.
Sunlight through valleys
Read more about Baily鈥檚 beads.
A jewel in the sky
Read more about the diamond ring.
How Often Do Solar Eclipses Happen?
There are between 2 and 5 solar eclipses every year, each one visible only in a limited area.
What's a Blood Moon?
A total lunar eclipse is often called a Blood Moon because of the red glow the eclipsed Moon gets. The term is also used for four total lunar eclipses that occur in a row.
Astro Events 2025
When, where, and how to see things happening in the sky and space.
Solar and Lunar Eclipses
Solar and lunar eclipses, why they occur, when the next eclipse is, and from where you can see them.
Total Lunar Eclipse
What happens when the Earth鈥檚 dark, reddish shadow covers the Moon completely?
Lunar Eclipse: Red Moon
Find out why a totally eclipsed Moon turns a shade of red.
Astronomical Glossary - Terms & Definitions
What do astronomers really mean when they use those technical terms?
Solar Eclipse Myths
The solar eclipse has inspired many mythical stories and influenced human behavior. Even today, eclipses of the Sun are considered bad omens in many cultures.
Annular Solar Eclipse
An annular solar eclipse is when the Moon moves in front of the Sun but leaves the outer edge of the Sun visible as a ring of fire.
What Is the Umbra?
The umbra is the dark center portion of a shadow. The Moon's umbra causes total solar eclipses, and the Earth's umbra is involved in total and partial lunar eclipses.
Watching Lunar Eclipses
A lunar eclipse can be seen with the naked eye, unlike solar eclipses, which have special safety requirements.
Partial Solar Eclipse
A partial solar eclipse happens when the Moon only partially covers the Sun.
Shadow Science
There are three kinds of shadows that produce eclipses.
Solar Eclipses in History
Solar eclipses were historically seen as omens that bring about death and destruction. People in many ancient civilizations tried their best to understand them.
Partial Lunar Eclipse
What happens when the Earth鈥檚 dark shadow covers part of the Moon鈥檚 face?
What Is the Penumbra?
The penumbra is the lighter outer part of a shadow. The Moon's penumbra causes partial solar eclipses, and the Earth's penumbra is involved in penumbral lunar eclipses.
Mercury Transit
When Mercury transits the Sun, you can see it as a tiny black dot silhouetted against the Sun's disk.
Make a Pinhole Projector
Make a simple pinhole projector using 2 pieces of card or paper to safely watch a projection of a solar eclipse.
What Is the Antumbra?
The antumbra is the lighter part of a shadow that forms at a certain distance from the object casting the shadow. It is involved in annular solar eclipses and planet transits.
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
What happens when the Earth鈥檚 lighter, outer shadow covers the Moon?
Hybrid Solar Eclipse
A hybrid solar eclipse or annular/total eclipse changes from a total to an annular eclipse. Why is that so? When is the next hybrid eclipse?
Eclipse Magnitude
Learn more about the number that tells us how deep an eclipse will be.
Protect Your Eyes!
Never look directly at the Sun without proper protection.
Make a Box Pinhole Projector
You鈥檒l need a cardboard box, plus a few other household items.
Make a Solar Eclipse Projector
Make a Sun projector a pair of binoculars or a telescope to safely watch solar eclipses or a planet transit.
Transit of Venus: June 5-6, 2012
The 2012 Venus transit was the last chance to see this phenomenon for over 100 years. Mercury transits happen more often, the next one in 2032.
Solar Eclipses in 2017
Eclipses in 2017 are visible in Southern America and Africa, and Northern America.
How to Make the Best Use of Solar Eclipse Glasses
Learn the four basic rules for using eclipse glasses to make the most of viewing a solar eclipse while maintaining your eye safety.
Eclipse Seasons
Roughly speaking, there are two eclipse seasons per year. Each season contains different kinds of eclipses to the last one.
Why Does a Lunar Eclipse Have Two Dates?
The date of a lunar eclipse depends on where you are in the world. At timeanddate, we normally use two numbers to give the date of a lunar eclipse.
A Once-In-A-Thousand-Years Eclipse
The partial lunar eclipse on November 19, 2021, was the longest since the 15th century, around the time Machu Picchu was being built.
The Super Harvest Moon Eclipse 2024
Five reasons why the Full Moon on the night of September 17鈥�18, 2024, will be extra special.