In this article
Why eclipses happen
A solar eclipse happens at New Moon, when the Moon slides between Earth and the Sun. A lunar eclipse happens at Full Moon, when Earth sits between the Sun and the Moon and casts its shadow across it. If the Moon's orbit lay in the same plane as Earth's, we would get one of each every month.
It does not. The Moon's orbit is tilted about 5 degrees, so most months the Moon passes above or below the line-up. Only when a New or Full Moon falls close to the two points where the orbits cross, called the nodes, does an eclipse occur. That is why they arrive in eclipse seasons roughly every six months, each lasting a few weeks.
The six kinds of eclipse
Each type has its own page.
- Total solar eclipse. The Moon covers the Sun completely and day turns briefly to twilight.
- Annular solar eclipse. The Moon is too far away to cover the Sun, leaving a bright ring.
- Partial solar eclipse. The Moon takes only a bite out of the Sun.
- Total lunar eclipse. The Moon enters Earth's darkest shadow and often turns coppery red.
- Partial lunar eclipse. Only part of the Moon is darkened by the full shadow.
- Penumbral lunar eclipse. A faint shading that is easy to miss.
Three total solar eclipses to plan for
Total solar eclipses are rare at any one place, so people travel for them. Three are coming. On 12 August 2026 totality crosses Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain, with the longest totality lasting about 2 minutes 18 seconds, and most of Europe sees a partial eclipse.
On 2 August 2027 the shadow sweeps across southern Spain and Gibraltar, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somalia. Near Luxor in Egypt totality lasts about 6 minutes 23 seconds, one of the longest of the century. On 22 July 2028 totality crosses Australia, including Sydney, and the South Island of New Zealand.
For other eclipses, visibility depends on where you are, and astronomy observatories publish maps and local timings.
Safety comes first
Lunar eclipses are completely safe to look at with your eyes, binoculars or a telescope. Solar eclipses are different: only glasses certified to ISO 12312-2 protect your eyes, even when the Sun is mostly covered. Read the full guide on how to watch a solar eclipse safely before the day.
Eclipses in culture and astrology
Many cultures told of a creature swallowing the darkened Sun or Moon and made noise to drive it away. These are myths that show how much eclipses mattered, not explanations of what happens.
Astrology reads eclipses symbolically, as moments for endings and fresh starts around the sign they fall in. That is a tradition, and there is no reason for fear. For the monthly rhythm behind it, see the Moon phases hub.
Questions people ask
How many eclipses happen each year?
At least four and at most seven, counting solar and lunar eclipses together. Most years have four to six.
Can I see every eclipse in the table?
No. A solar eclipse is visible only from part of the globe, and a lunar eclipse only from the night side. Check an observatory's local timings for your location.
Do eclipses repeat?
Yes. After the Saros cycle of about 18 years 11 days, the Sun, Moon and nodes return to nearly the same arrangement and a similar eclipse follows, though in a different place.