Night Sky Platform

Eclipses

Solar and lunar eclipses explained — the types, the geometry, and how to watch them safely. Specific eclipse dates and paths are prepared for published NASA predictions; none are fabricated.

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Solar eclipses

A solar eclipse happens at New Moon, when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun. Solar eclipses in detail →

Total Solar Eclipse: The Moon completely covers the Sun's disc along a narrow path of totality, revealing the corona. Only safe to view with the naked eye during the brief total phase.
Annular Solar Eclipse: The Moon is near apogee and too small to cover the Sun, leaving a bright 'ring of fire'. Never safe to view without a solar filter.
Partial Solar Eclipse: The Moon covers only part of the Sun. Requires certified solar filters throughout.
Hybrid Solar Eclipse: A rare eclipse that shifts between annular and total along its path.

Lunar eclipses

A lunar eclipse happens at Full Moon, when the Moon passes through Earth's shadow. Lunar eclipses in detail →

Total Lunar Eclipse: The Moon passes fully into Earth's umbral shadow and often turns coppery red (a 'blood Moon'). Completely safe to watch with the naked eye.
Partial Lunar Eclipse: Only part of the Moon enters Earth's umbra, leaving a dark bite on the lunar disc.
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: The Moon passes through Earth's faint outer shadow, producing only a subtle shading.

Related in the Knowledge Graph

The Sun

The Moon

Earth

Sources & references

Facts on this topic will be cited from these primary and reference sources.

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.

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