Eclipse Calendar

What are Eclipses?

Eclipses occur when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align in specific configurations. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth. A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon.

Types of Solar Eclipses

• Total — The Moon completely covers the Sun's disk. The corona becomes visible, and daylight turns to near-darkness along a narrow path on Earth's surface.
• Annular — The Moon is too far from Earth to fully cover the Sun, leaving a bright ring ("annulus") of sunlight visible around the Moon's silhouette.
• Partial — Only part of the Sun's disk is obscured by the Moon. This can occur on its own or be seen from areas outside the path of a total or annular eclipse.
• Hybrid — Rare eclipses that transition between total and annular along their path due to Earth's curvature.

Types of Lunar Eclipses

• Total — The Moon passes entirely into Earth's dark umbral shadow, often turning a deep red or copper color (sometimes called a "Blood Moon").
• Partial — Only part of the Moon enters Earth's umbral shadow, creating a dark bite out of the lunar disk.
• Penumbral — The Moon passes through Earth's faint outer shadow (penumbra). The dimming is subtle and often difficult to notice with the naked eye.

Visibility Regions

Solar eclipses are only visible from specific regions on Earth where the Moon's shadow falls. The path of totality (for total eclipses) is typically only 100-250 km wide. Lunar eclipses, by contrast, are visible from anywhere on Earth where the Moon is above the horizon — roughly half the planet.

Eclipse Safety

• Solar eclipses require certified eclipse glasses or solar filters. Never look directly at the Sun without proper protection, even during a partial eclipse.
• Lunar eclipses are completely safe to view with the naked eye, binoculars, or telescopes.

Eclipse Cycles

Eclipses follow predictable patterns. The Saros cycle (approximately 18 years, 11 days, 8 hours) produces similar eclipses shifted in longitude. On average, there are 4-7 eclipses per year (both solar and lunar combined), with at least 2 solar eclipses annually.

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