WHY DO SOLAR ECLIPSE OCCUR?

An  eclipse happens when a planet or a moon gets in the way of the sun’s light. Here on Earth, we can experience two kinds of eclipses: solar eclipses and lunar eclipses.

Let we understand why do solar eclipse occur?

A solar eclipse happens when the moon gets in the way of the sun’s light and casts its shadow on Earth. That means during the day, the moon moves over the sun and it gets dark.

Moon gets in the way of the sun’s light and casts its shadow on Earth

While we call it a solar eclipse, astronomers call it an occultation. An occultation happens when an object blocks your view of another object. In this case, the moon blocks your view of the sun.

Solar and Lunar eclipse. Source: Wikipedia

A solar eclipse occurs in the day time at new moon, when the moon is between the Earth and the sun.

CAUTION: Never look directly at the Sun, even for a second! It will damage your eyesight forever!

To view a solar eclipse, use special solar viewing glasses. Get them from a camera store or online. Welding goggles will also work.

SUNGLASSES DO NOT WORK, EVEN IF YOU STACK MANY OF THEM TOGETHER.